Human rights situation in the OAT – CHR – NGO statement

 QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES, INCLUDING PALESTINE

Written statement* submitted by the International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status 

  The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[4 January 2004]

* This written statement is issued, unedited, in the language(s) received from the submitting non-governmental organization(s).

The question on people’s minds, everywhere and time after time, is who exactly is responsible for the lost lives of Palestinians and Israelis? Who is to blame for the innocent victims on both sides? Something terribly wrong has caused this half-century-long tragedy!!

The question that should be asked to the Israeli side is: did the Israeli leadership believe that the Palestinian uprising would cease before recovery of their legitimate inalienable rights? Does the Israeli leadership believe that there will be peace for the Israeli people as long as the Palestinian people are under occupation? Logically, violence begets violence, injustice breeds resentment, tyranny ignites the spirit to resist or die.

The simple answers to these questions show that Israelis know there is no way any injustice could prevail. Why then continue depriving Palestinians and threatening their very existence. Simply put ‘acts of aggression create reactions.’

Is it possible that the Israeli people and their leadership are being misguided and deceived? But how could that happen when their background and experiences should have taught them otherwise, unless there is a secret behind this deception that continues to fuel this tragic conflict.

Is it possible that this dubious secret is generating the unlimited and unconditional support offered to Israel by the United States of America? USA supplies Israel with funds, advanced weaponry and the exercise of vetoing any Security Council or United Nations resolution that condemns Israel. The defiance and arrogance of fanatic Israeli groups and their leaders have caused endless tragedies and blood baths.

Without the unconditional American support for Israel, Israeli leadership would stop its insanity, accept all Security Council resolutions, and reach an amicable, just and lasting solution for peace with Palestinians and its Arab neighbours. Israel has no way around this historical challenge but to coexist in peace with others. Peace is not achievable by force.

We have other questions that need answers. Why does the United States of America provide this blind and unconditional support for Israel? Such support harms the national interests of the American people, as well as the long-term interests of Israelis themselves.

Is it the result of the Zionist lobby activities? To some extent, perhaps it is. But the issue is much deeper. Palestinians and Israelis must work together to eliminate the roots of the problem if they are seriously looking at saving innocent lives and living in peace and harmony.

Parties to the conflict should know that if they achieve peace in the Middle East, the manufacturing and trade of arms, which drains the world’s resources and wealth, would be shut down!!

The cooperation among and interdependence of the economies in the Middle East can only empower this region to control its rich resources including control over its oil pricing and distribution. Some major parties have a vested interest in prolonging conflicts in the region and Israel is their best bet. So, they support Israel with funds and advanced arms and promise it with more. They encourage Israeli aggression against its neighbours and they work hard to block any just and peaceful solution to the conflict. They don’t care for Palestinian or Israeli lives as long as they can sell more guns and weapons of destruction.

We are certain that justice will prevail. The people of the world, regardless of their race, creed or ideologies, will stand firm against this kind of deception and work together to achieve peace. This mission can be ideally carried out by nongovernmental organizations if given the opportunity to do so.

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