_____________________________________________________________________
NPK-info
- Nederlands Palestina Komitee / www.palestina-komitee.nl
______________________________________________________________________
Tip:
België2-TV gaat zondag 13 juli vanaf 20 uur over "de
apartheidsmuur".
Zie
http://www.palsolidarity.org
| - FREEDOM
SUMMER PALESTINE 2003 Begins |
|
- Stop the Wall!
Lees over arrestatie van vredesactivisten
|
Farmers
face ruin as Israel's fence drives wedge through West Bank
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030706/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_fence_scene_030706120459
BBC did hold up the mirror of Israel as a nuclear power not
willing to subject itself to the nuclear non-proliferation it demands
of others.
Hierna:
- Middle
East Surprises for America
- BADIL Announcement: Al-MAJDAL Magazine No. 18 (June2003)
-
Kamervragen: Ontbrekende steun voor Palestijnse gebieden
Wie
verbaast zich nog?
- Connection between Hamas and Israel?
NPK/WL, 11-7-2003
______________________________________________________________________
Middle
East Surprises for America
John V. Whitbeck . Special to Arab News
Arab News (Jeddah)
<http://www.arabnews.com/>
The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily
10/07/2003
For those formulating American foreign policy and dreaming of remaking
the
Middle East in their own image, the region appears to be full of
surprises.
The determined resistance of some Iraqis to the Western occupation of
their
country seems to have been genuinely unanticipated. It should not have
been.
If the United States were conquered and occupied by Arab armies which
announced their intention to stay for years and to restructure the
country's
government and economy along Islamic lines, would no Americans resist,
not
even "hardcore Bush loyalists" or "Republican Party
remnants"?
The legislative elections in Kuwait on July 5, if noticed in America,
should
have constituted an even more stunning surprise. Before and after the
conquest of Iraq, proponents of the war evoked the vision of a virtuous
"domino effect" toppling authoritarian regimes in the region
and replacing
them with modernizing, Western-oriented "democratic" ones. As
a genuine
reason for war, such a democratic mission always lacked credibility with
those who actually live in the region, who recognize that, so long as
America and Israel act like Siamese twins joined at the brain, any
government in the Arab world which actually reflected the will of its
people
would be fervently anti-American.
Of course, Americans do like elections - provided that they produce the
"right" result. (Donald Rumsfeld has made clear that an
Islamic government
will not be permitted in Iraq even if most of Iraq's people were to
favor
one.) However, few believe that the United States would really prefer a
democratically elected government which is anti-American to an
authoritarian
regime which is pro-American.
So, what happened in the elections in Kuwait, the most pro-American
country
in the Arab world, with the most reason (by far) to be pro-American? The
"liberals", who seek a more open and modern society and had
hoped to make
significant gains, were almost wiped out, retaining only three seats
(down
from eight) in the 50-seat Parliament. The remaining 47 seats went to
conservatives and Islamists, including radical fundamentalists. The
"domino
effect" has not worked out - at least not falling in the
"right" direction -
next door to Iraq. What would genuinely fair elections produce in other
Arab
countries, whose people are far less pro-American? A quiet burial for
the
"democratic mission" can be anticipated.
Another illusion destined to be dispelled soon is that the current
"road
map" for Israel/Palestine will win the United States friends
and gratitude
in the Arab world. While the "road map" is widely described as
a "peace
plan", in Arab eyes, "peace" in Israel/Palestine
requires ending the
occupation, not crushing all resistance to it, while, in most of the
world,
true "peace" is recognized to require some measure of
"justice", a word
rigorously avoided by successive American governments in connection with
their successive "peace plans".
If one reads the "road map", it is readily apparent that it
builds on a
false premise to reach an unbelievable conclusion. The premise is that
the
problem in Israel/Palestine is Palestinian resistance to the
36-year-long
occupation, not the occupation itself. The conclusion is that, IF the
Palestinian leadership will first suppress completely all forms of
resistance to the occupation and eliminate all capabilities for ever
resisting again, thereby making the occupation totally cost-free for
Israelis, THEN (and only then) Israel will choose, of its own free will,
to
end the occupation, withdrawing to (essentially) its internationally
recognized pre-1967 borders, vacating the settlements, sharing Jerusalem
and
agreeing to a just settlement of the refugee issue.
The Holy Land may, in theory, be a land of miracles, but, even if the
"IF"
were possible at the start of the road (which is most unlikely), it is
difficult to believe that anyone in a state of sobriety could genuinely
believe that the "THEN" would follow. (By contrast, if such a
destination,
fully consistent with international law, were announced and guaranteed
at
the start of the road, as it would be in any peace plan devised with a
sincere intention to achieve peace, there would no longer be any need
for
resistance.)
Arabs are not fools. Even if they have not read the "road
map", when they
see both George W. Bush and Colin Powell insisting that a total
cessation of
Palestinian violence is not good enough and that the Palestinian
leadership
must also eliminate any capability for resuming violent resistance in
the
future, they can recognize that the true American objective is not
"peace",
as they understand the word, but, at best, simply "quiet" -
Palestinian
acquiescence in the occupation and acceptance of whatever terms Israel
may
wish to impose on a defeated and demoralized people - and, at worst,
provoking a Palestinian civil war.
Such a "peace plan" will win the United States no more friends
and gratitude
in the Arab world than American efforts to repress resistance to its own
occupation of a proud Arab country by ever-escalating force, which is
condemned to produce ever-intensifying resistance, which will be met by
yet
more brutal force in an infernal cycle which Israelis and Palestinians
know
all too well.
Is there any way to prevent an already ugly situation in the Middle East
from degenerating into a long-term war of civilizations? Actually, there
is.
In March 2002, the Arab League, in its Beirut Declaration, dramatically
offered full peace and normal diplomatic and economic relations between
Israel and all Arab states in return for a total end to the occupation
of
all Arab lands occupied in 1967. The Arab League should formally
reaffirm
this offer, while also making clear the "other side of the
coin" - that
there will never be peace or normal relations until the occupation ends.
Then, the United States should make clear that what must end - and soon
- is
the occupation, not the resistance to it. Of course, for America to do
so
would require a virtual "second American declaration of
independence".
American politicians would have to put the interests of their own
country
and people ahead of the desires of extreme right-wing elements in Israel
and
their vocal, intimidating and well-funded supporters in the United
States.
Most observers would consider such a revolution inconceivable, but, at
least
in theory, it is possible - and it is urgent.
The true "road map" confronting Iraq, Palestine and the region
as a whole is
not one of steady progress toward peace, prosperity, Western-style
democracy
and increasingly pro-American sentiments. Unless the world focuses soon
on
the real problem and its only real solution, and insists on the prompt
implementation of that solution, we are all risking a rapid descent into
hell.
(John V. Whitbeck is an international lawyer who writes frequently on
the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.)
______________________________________________________________________
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 12:52 PM
Subject: [Badil-english] BADIL Announcement: Al-MAJDAL Magazine No.
18 (June2003)
> BADIL Resource
Center
> For immediate release, 4 July 2003 (E/34/03)
> -------------------------------------
>
> Available Now at BADIL:
>
> AL-MAJDAL MAGAZINE
> Issue no. 18 (June 2003)
> BADIL English language quarterly; annual
> subscription fee: US $20; orders to:
> admin@badil.org
>
> The 46-page June issue of Al-Majdal is entitled
>
> ROAD MAP OR ROADBLOCK?
> WHY INTERNATIONAL LAW MATTERS
>
> The editorial discusses the role of
> international law in peacemaking and outlines
> the 'rules of the road' towards a just and
> durable solution of the Palestinian refugee
> question. A summary of the proceedings of the
> BADIL Expert Forum, "The Role of International
> Law and Human Rights in Peacemaking and Crafting
> Durable Solutions for Palestinian Refugees"
> (University of Ghent, 22-23 May) is included in
> the feature/debate section.
>
> In addition, the June issue of Al-Majdal includes
>
> Activity Updates, Campaign for Palestinian
> Refugee Rights, among them reports about:
> - Palestinian Land Day
> - 55th Anniversary of the Deir Yassin
> Masssacre: Activities in Jerusalem
> - Palestinian Community Debates and Workshops
> in the West Bank
> - 55th Anniversary of al-Nakba: Memorial Events
> in Palestine
> - Release of the BADIL Hebrew-language
> Information Packet/The Right of Return
> - BADIL Launch of the 2003 - 2004 Expert Forum
> on Palestinian Refugees
> - Workshop on International Refugee Protection,
> Beirut, 2-3 June (AIDUN-Groups Lebanon and Syria
> and BADIL)
> - 36th Anniversary of Israel's Occupation of
> the West Bank and Gaza Strip: memorial
> activities of the Israeli initiative Zochrot
> (Remember)
> A guest article, "A Guide for the Perplexed" by
> Laurie King Irani on the Sabra and Shatila Case
> in Belgium.
>
> Sections dedicated to Refugee Protection and
> Assistance, among them:
> - a Report from the May 2003 Session of the UN
> Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
> - "Beer Sheba: The Forgotten Half of
> Palestine," a contribution by Dr. Salman Abu
> Sitta.
>
> Refugee Voices:
> "The People's Campaign for Peace and Democracy,
> A Clear Call for Waiving the Rights" by Issa
> Qaraq'a, member of the Fatah High Committee and
> Head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Society in
> the West Bank.
>
> In Memoriam:
> A list of the names of Palestinians killed by
> Israeli military forces (1 April - 1 June 2003).
>
> Document Section:
> Samples of recent statements issued in Palestine
> on the Nusseibeh-Ayalon initiative.
>
> Please note: Print copies of this issue will be
> mailed shortly to our subscribers. A PDF version
> of Al-Majdal 18 is published on the BADIL
> website:
> www.badil.org/Publications/Majdal/2003.
>
> ----------------------------
>
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______________________________________________________________________
GroenLinks Tweede-Kamerfractie Nieuwsbrief 23
juni 2003 17:10
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - -
Ontbrekende steun voor Palestijnse gebieden
http://www.groenlinks.nl/partij/2dekamer/vragen/64000745.html
(23 juni 2003)
Kamervraag
Schriftelijke vragen van het lid Karimi (GroenLinks) aan de minister
voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking
1. Is het waar dat Nederland al een jaar lang geen gehoor geeft aan de
verzoeken van de Verenigde Naties (UNWRA) bij het ledigen van de
humanitaire nood in de Bezette Palestijnse Gebieden? Wat is hiervan de
reden?
2. Is het waar dat de reden van het uitblijven van het geld vanuit
Nederland te maken heeft met de crisissen elders (Afghanistan en Irak)
en met de inkrimpende economie? Zijn er nog andere redenen dat
Nederlandse steun uitblijft? Zo ja, welke?
3. Deelt u de mening dat het argument 'crisissen elders en de
inkrimpende economie' mager is
gezien de zeer zorgwekkende
humanitaire situatie in met name de Gazastrook?
4. Bent u bekend met de gegevens van de Wereldbank dat 13,3% van de
Palestijnen ondervoed is, de gezondheidssituatie in Gaza strook zeer
verslechterd is, en de stijging van de werkeloosheid is opgelopen is
naar 45%?
5. In hoeverre kan UNWRA haar humanitaire taak nog vervullen als
donoren - zoals Nederland - geen bijdragen meer geven voor het
noodhulpfonds? Is er al sprake dat UNWRA haar humanitaire
verplichtingen niet na kan komen aan de Palestijnse bevolking omdat
deze organisatie kampt met een tekort aan donaties?
6. Bent u bereid alsnog de oproep van UNWRA tot honoreren en een
bijdrage te storen aan het UNWRA noodhulpfonds? Zo nee, waarom niet?
Zo ja, wilt u de Kamer hierover inlichten?
______________________________________________________________________
