Israel’s current heavy-handed incursion into the Gaza Strip comes on the heels of a two week bombing campaign that killed at least 22 Palestinian civilians. Under the guise of rescuing a captured Israeli soldier, Israel continues to commit blatant and gross violations of international laws and norms. There have been at least two recent precedents where Israel negotiated prisoner exchanges – one with Hezbollah and the other with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command. The Palestinians holding the Israeli soldier have made a humanitarian demand for the release of 372 Palestinian children and 122 women who are languishing in Israeli prisons. The holding of juveniles in a prison system with adults is a grave violation of laws concerning the treatment of children. The underlying objective of this invasion of Palestinian areas is to destroy any chance of a negotiated settlement with the Palestinian Authority, especially when it comes less than 48 hours after all major Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, reached an important understanding that calls for a two state solution which, in essence, recognizes Israel’s right to exist. By continuing its criminal and racist militaristic approach in dealing with the Palestinians, Israel’s true intent is clear. Whatever the “final outcome” the reality on the ground will be the total Israeli control of the entire West Bank and Gaza Strip (borders, air space, water resources, and energy). Proof of Israel’s real intentions is the “Apartheid Wall” that Israel is continuing to build, in spite of international opposition. This “Wall” has effectively dismembered the Palestinian areas into small, fragmented, and economically and socially non-viable communities. Therefore, if Israel is allowed to continue on this same destructive path, the Palestinian territories will be devoured by a “Greater Israel.” Anything short of total Palestinian sovereignty in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem will be meaningless. The Palestinians have internationally recognized rights to a sovereign state that is geographically united and secure. Until this solution is reached, all efforts must be made to help Palestinians to withstand the continuing Israeli onslaught and not to loose sight of their legitimate rights.
Committee on Behalf of Palestinians Denied Entry
