israelcadenaderechazo

----- Original Message -----
From: "danthe (by way of Carlos Bullos, cbullos@mac.com
danthe@ymca.int
To: "Jose Luis Cordeiro" jose_cordeiro@hotmail.com; "Iruña" urru@urru.org

Sent: lunes, 09 de octubre de 2000 10:51
Subject: Tr: Current Confrontations in Israel/Palestine - NGOs statement

Ultimas noticias de uno de nuestros frentes de la ACJ. Saludos, Carlos

Iru, si lo quieres difundir esta bien. Saludos, Carlos
Message d'origine-----
De : danthe danthe@ymca.int
À : Claude -Alain Danthe danthe@ymca.int
Date : lundi 9 octobre 2000 16:48

Dear Friends,
Please find hereafter the NGOs Statement on the current Confrontations in Israel/Palestine and the report of the "YMCA Rehabilitation Program".

You can also find these documents our website at the following address: http://www.ymca.int/update_20.htm or in word format in attachement.

With best wishes,
The Communication Team
Ruth Rohrbasser: Assistant
Helga Serrano: Editor
Claude-Alain Danthe: Archivist (& Webmaster) Statement of NGOs on the Current Confrontations in Israel/Palestine - Oct.3, 2000

The undersigned organizations wish to express their shock and horror at the Israeli government forces' use of live ammunition and heavy artillery against unarmed Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Arab towns in Israel in the current confrontation. We condemn this indiscriminate and excessive use of force, which is exemplified by the death of 12-year old Muhammad Rami Al-Dura in the Gaza Strip as well as another seven children under the age of 17, along with at least 41 other civilians. We also condemn the provocative positioning of Israeli forces inside and immediately outside Palestinian towns and villages and their use of banned weapons such as "dum-dum" bullets.

We can only deplore the premeditated action by Ariel Sharon which provoked a defensive reaction on the part of the Palestinians. Israel's excessive use of its superior force and artillery has led to a cycle of escalating violence.

We call on UN member states, especially the members of the Security Council, to immediately take all steps necessary to ensure:
1. An immediate and total cease-fire.

2. A full Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian areas.

3. That Israel ends its ongoing and systematic violations of Palestinian human rights and fully respects international law and human rights treaties, including the Geneva Conventions.

4. Implementation of all relevant UN resolutions, the Geneva Conventions particularly provisions on occupied territories, as well as all other international treaties and conventions.

5. That the international community provides the Palestinian people with humanitarian assistance including medical aid for the nearly 1,500 wounded persons, resources to build destroyed homes, and support in regaining lands and homes that have been confiscated.
World Young Women's Christian Association (World YWCA) Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) General Federation of Arab Women
World Movement of Mothers Union of Arab Jurists World Alliance of YMCAs

Geneva, 3 October 2000

The YMCA Hit in Clashes in Palestinian Territories - Oct. 4, 2000 On Sunday 1 October at 3:30 p.m. bullets fired by Israeli soldiers hit the YMCA Rehabilitation Center in Beit Sahour in the building where persons with disabilities reside. One of the high velocity bullets penetrated a window where 17 beneficiaries gathered and burst into small fragments. It caused no physical injuries but created a state of fear and anxiety among innocent beneficiaries living in a civil organization. Consequently, the YMCA evacuated the building and sent the beneficiaries home.

This aggressive act was repeated on Monday and more bullets hit the building. Numerous bullets were gathered from the surrounding area, which became one of the hottest areas in the Bethlehem district. The YMCA which is located close to the C zone that is still fully under Israeli control, became a target for the Israeli soldiers.

This Israeli aggressive act came as part of the official Israeli policy towards the Palestinian people, who protested against Areal Sharon provocative visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque last Thursday. The Palestinians were faced by extensive force and aggression from the Israeli party including the use of rockets and bombs fired by helicopters . So far 55 Palestinians have
been killed and 2500 injured. According to Dr. Riad Za'noun, the Minister of Health, 56% of the injuries were among children and 68% were made by high velocity bullets.

The YMCA Rehabilitation Program has responded to this situation by developing an emergency plan to pay visits to the injured at the hospitals and help those who have developed trauma and psychological disturbances and assess their needs for further rehabilitation.

The YMCA was a target for the Israeli soldiers again, this time with high velocity bullets, that could have caused casualties among innocent people in a civil organization.

We consider this act, and the whole Israeli reaction in the Palestinian Territories, a very dangerous, aggressive and brutal acts that left many casualties among the Palestinian people and will lead to more violence in the area.

We do urge our partners, the human rights organizations and all the peace oving groups all over the world to use much pressure on the Israeli Government, to respect the international law and the Geneva conventions and to immediately stop these act of aggression. We think that the whole world community must feel responsible for taking measure against Israel who is
violating all the international conventions and killing innocent people in
cold blood.