wfn.org | Pax Christi USA Calls for End to Israeli Occupation

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Contact:
Fr. Raed Awad Abusahlia
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"Unjust conditions and humiliations" cited

JERUSALEM, April 5, 2002---Word was received here today that the American 
branch of the Catholic Peace Movement Pax Christi has called for an end to 
the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

"Troubled by U.S. support for the occupation" the American participants 
promised their prayers to Colin Powell, the Secretary of State, as he planned 
a peace mission to the Middle East.

The group quoted Pope John Paul II who described Israel's occupation as  
imposing "unjust conditions and humiliations" upon the more than 3 million 
Palestinian people living under occupation. 

The text of the statement follows:
 
The terrible situation in Israel/Palestine this week is a bitter testimony to 
the utter failure of increased violence as a means to end violence. Pax 
Christi USA unequivocally condemns the recent suicide bombings by 
Palestinians in Israel as well as the brutal escalation of violence against 
civilians in the Occupied Territories being carried out by the Israeli 
Defense Forces. This cycle of violence must end.  Pax Christi USA stands in 
solidarity with those on both sides of the conflict who have rejected the 
destructive and fruitless cycle of violence that now engulfs that land.  
 
In particular, we support the efforts of the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem, 
Archbishop Michel Sabbah, President of Pax Christi International, and other 
religious leaders in the Holy Land who have offered to mediate an end to the 
standoff in Bethlehem. We call upon the Israeli Defense Forces to allow this 
delegation of religious leaders access to Bethlehem in order to facilitate 
the evacuation of wounded civilians and negotiate a nonviolent resolution to 
the siege of the Church of the Nativity.  
 
Our prayers go with US Secretary of State Colin Powell as he travels to the 
region this week. We are however, deeply troubled by the US position over the 
past 17 months that a cease-fire in the current conflict must precede efforts 
at a political settlement. Moreover we are concerned over ongoing US support 
for the Israeli occupation, support which sustains Israel's ability to, as 
Pope John Paul II pointed out this week, impose "unjust conditions and 
humiliations" upon the more than 3 million Palestinian people living under 
occupation. It is clear that Israel has engaged in widespread destruction of 
civilian infrastructure in the Occupied Territories, subjected civilians to 
round-the-clock curfews, denied them access to food, water and medical 
services and engaged in summary executions. All these are grave violations of 
the Fourth Geneva Convention. US financial aid and political support for 
Israeli activities in violation of international law must end. The US will 
never be an effective force for peace while it continues to support the 
forces of occupation. 
 
The occupation is itself an ongoing and pervasive violence perpetrated 
against all Palestinians living in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem.  
Secretary Powell's efforts must include concrete US commitments to end 
support for the occupation and full implementation of United Nations' 
Security Council Resolutions 242. 338 and 1402. Pax Christi USA calls upon 
the Administration and Congress to immediately restrict all US military aid 
to Israel from being used in the Occupied Territories. The United States 
cannot be a credible partner for peace while US made weapons continue to be 
turned upon Palestinian civilians.  
 
Pax Christi USA affirms the call of Pope John Paul II for Sunday April 7th to 
be a Day of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East and urges all our members, 
supporters and friends to participate in a Chain of Prayer and Light from 
April 8-15 as called for by Pax Christi International. 

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