[statecom-discuss] A shorter statement on Lebanon and Palestine

[BillCunningham]

I think Ron's version is OK except for one thing. We MUST reiterate our support for the right of resistance. Otherwise "opposes any and all attacks on noncombatant civilians" sounds as though the acts of non-state resistance groups [which our State calls terrorists and seeks to destroy] are equivalent to the acts of the army of the State of Israel [which our State supports and funds]. 

-----Original Message-----
>From: Ron Francis <ronwf777 at yahoo.com>
>Sent: Jul 21, 2006 3:17 AM
>To: statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
>Subject: [statecom-discuss] A shorter statement on Lebanon and Palestine
>
>Dear All,
>   
>  I have tried to put together a shorter statement on Lebanon and Gaza that meets some of the concerns raised by Colby, David and I, using text borrowed from Bill's statement:
>   
>  Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, which include the bombing of civilian infrastructure and attacks 
>
>on civilians, are unprovoked attacks and constitute 
>gross violations of international law that meet the 
>definition of war crimes.  In addition Israel's 
>escalation is the primary 
>cause of this past week’s violence in the Middle East.
> 
>The Green-Rainbow Party opposes any and all 
>attacks on noncombatant civilians in the region.  
>However, as the US government gives arms to Israel that 
>facilitate Israel’s illegal attacks, our primary 
>responsibility, as US residents, 
>is to call upon the Israeli regime to: cease any and all 
>offensives immediately; immediately leave Lebanese territory 
>forever; and immediately leave the West Bank, Gaza and 
>Jerusalem as a first step towards ending apartheid 
>in historic Palestine.  
> 
>We therefore call on all 
>invested parties, including the U.S., to divest from and 
>cease all foreign aid to Israel as long as the human rights 
>of Palestinians are denied. 
> 
>We affirm the right of Palestinian refugees, including those 
>now residing in Lebanon, to return to their homes 
>throughout historic Palestine (today called Israel) 
>and live in peace without being discriminated against, 
>de jure, as non-Jews. 
> 
>We condemn the pro-war statement "We Stand With Israel" 
>signed by leading Democratic, Republican and 
>independent politicians, published July 20 in the Boston press. 
> 
>The Green-Rainbow Party is the only party 
>that stands with Palestinians who are fighting for an 
>end to illegal occupation, racism and Zionist colonization. 
> 
>ron 
>
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Bill Cunningham