IPSC launches campaign for EU action on Mid-East rights abuses

national | eu | news report Tuesday April 13, 2004 01:16 by Paul - Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign supportpalestine at ireland dot com PO Box 9124, Dublin 1 01-6770253

EU-wide petition seeks politicians' support for Palestinian rights

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign has launched a petition from politicians calling on the European Council and the European Council of Foreign Ministers to insist that Israel cease construction of the separation wall across Palestinian land on the West Bank. If Israel does not comply, the petition says, then the human rights clause in the EU-Israel trade agreement should be invoked to suspend Israel's favourable trading rights with the EU.

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, in conjunction with other European groups working for a just peace in Israel/Palestine, has launched a campaign calling on Irish politicians to seek EU action on human rights abuses in Palestine, particularly the separation wall currently being built across Palestinian land in the West Bank.

The IPSC has written to all members of the Oireachtas to ask them to sign an EU-wide petition calling for action on the wall. The petition asks the European Council (of heads of government) and the EU Council of Foreign Ministers to put pressure on Israel to comply with the UN General Assembly resolution of 21 October 2003, sponsored by EU states, which called for an end to construction of the wall and the dismantling of sections already built. The petition also calls for the suspension of Israel's favourable trading links with the EU if it does not comply with this requirement.

A spokesman for the IPSC said: "The construction of the Wall across Palestinian land in the West Bank entails serious human rights abuses. Over 274,000 Palestinians live in the area on the Israeli side of the Wall or inside enclaves completely surrounded by the Wall or secondary barriers associated with it. Many of these people will be prevented from gaining access to schools and clinics, towns and other social services by the Wall, and some have already been required to apply for short term permits in order to continue to live in their homes.

"In addition, the wall threatens the whole basis of the search for peace in Palestine that has been pursued by Palestinians and the international community - a land for peace deal that would see a Palestinian state constructed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The wall will cut off at least 14% of the West Bank, including some of the most fertile land in Palestine and precious water resources. If the planned eastern wall is also pursued, over 40% of the West Bank will be stolen.

"We are calling on Irish elected representatives to respond to the strength of feeling in the Irish public on this issue. Article 2 of the EU's Association Agreement with Israel, which grants Israel preferential trading status, states that the Agreement is based on 'respect for human rights and democratic principles'. If action is not taken on the wall and other serious human rights abuses, that human rights clause will appear meaningless.

"The IPSC asks all concerned citizens to contact their local public representatives and ask them to express their support for this petition."

The text of the petition and other information is availble on the IPSC website: www.supportpalestine.org .