Israel and Palestine

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What's Going On

The use of violence by both Israelis and Palestinians in the current conflict is reprehensible. Peace Action, as an organization that promotes non-violent solution of conflicts, urges the Palestinian Authority to reject suicide bombings and other violent measures.

While Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has begun a partial withdrawal from some of the occupied territories, he has stated that attacks on Palestinian towns and refugee camps will continue. In some areas the siege has been tightened. Reports indicate that the Israeli Defense Forces intend to remain in Palestinian cities for the foreseeable future. Former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, speaking on behalf of Israel, compared Israel's current actions to the US war on terrorism.

On CBS's Face the Nation Netanyahu said, "The reason it's taking time is because we're not using massive air power and massive fire power. We're trying to do it slowly to save civilian lives..."

Far from saving innocent lives, Israel's actions are escalating the violence and the deaths of innocent civilians. The US must take responsibility for the part it plays in allowing this violence to intensify through its own example, and by halting support for countries that enact this kind of aggression.

The US is the main benefactor of Israel, to the tune of over $3 billion per year in economic and military aid.

US weapons and military aid have only added fuel to the fire of this terrible situation. According to the Friends Committee on National Legislation, US -supplied attack helicopters have been used to carry out extrajudicial executions, disperse demonstrators and target residential areas. All these actions are in violation of international laws and norms. There are reports of US helicopters and F-16 fighter jets being used to attack Palestinian radio stations, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's headquarters, and Palestinian Authority police and security buildings. US laser guided missiles have been used against civilians. Other equipment includes many thousands of rifles, grenade launchers and ammunition.

Violence has also been used by the Israeli Defense Forces against international human rights and peace activists. Attacking unarmed civilians is never acceptable. The courageous work of these monitors, as well as that of the Israeli and Palestinian peace movements, need support. They represent the best chance for a brighter future.

Israel is using US-supplied weapons against a population under occupation, peace activists, and the media, and not in self-defense. Members of Congress have a special responsibility to ensure that aid, funded by US taxpayers, is being used properly by Israel.

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Take Action

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the international human rights community have called for human rights monitoring, cooperation with humanitarian agencies, an end to detentions of medical personnel and attacks on their facilities, and free access of the media.

Contact your Congressperson and Senators and tell them to:

initiate a cut-off of military aid to Israel and a freeze on all pending arms sales or transfers until Israel lifts the current siege of Palestinian territory
urge Israel to withdraw to its pre-1967 borders
support an end to US arms sales to the entire Middle East region
support full and immediate implementation of all relevant United Nations resolutions on the Israel-Palestine conflict

Call the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to the office of your Senators and Congressperson.

For more information on contacting elected officials see Contact Congress.

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