Palestine Groups Letter to Angela Merkel, German Chancellor

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Portion of Palestine Groups' Letter to Angela Merkel after her address to the Israeli parliament. Whole thing here: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=42297&s2=23

Over the past four decades Israel has persistently disregarded all UN resolutions. Just last week, weren't another set of new plans announced for settlements? The settlements in Jerusalem, such as Givat Seev or Pisgat Seev, are supposed to be extended with altogether 750 new apartments. The same had been announced for Gabal Abu Gneim – only a mere three months after the Annapolis Peace Conference.

Didn't the International Court of Justice in The Hague condemn the wall Israel is building on Palestinian territory in the West Bank as being in violation of international law and ruled it must be dismantled? As you, Madame Chancellor, read these few lines, this perfidious monstrosity is nearing 70% completion – with the accompanying genocidal policy of land annexation, evictions and ethnic cleansing.

Is the Palestinian population supposed to submit to permanent chicanery, humiliation, degradation at the approx. 580 Israeli checkpoints located on a surface of 5,860m²? Massacres, abuse and abductions are also aspects of Palestinian daily life. Aren't there more than 10,000

Palestinians – one-third of whom are women and children – still languishing in Israeli jails? Hasn't Israel been repeatedly called upon to immediately release the parliamentarians, elected in free and democratic elections, provided for, by the way, under terms of the Roadmap?

While you are reading these lines, Madame Chancellor, not a single Palestinian farmer will tend his field without fear of attack by the occupiers and belligerent settlers. While you hold this letter in hand, not a single Palestinian woman in need of emergency medical assistance, can be sure she can reach the salvation of a hospital in time! And, absolutely no Palestinian family – in the time it takes for you to contemplate these thoughts – can know if tomorrow they will still have their remaining plot of land, if their children will still be able to reach the so vital educational facilities, or if the other members of the family are safe and sound. Israeli peace rhetoric must be followed by peace deeds!

In his report to the UN Human Rights Council about two weeks ago, Professor at Law John Dugard ascertained that no other western allied nation denies a people their self-determination and human rights to the extent that Israel does. Colonization, apartheid and occupation – these are Israel's policies in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip even today. Besides, technological development permits Israel to control the inhabitants of Gaza, even without a permanent military presence, thanks to Israel's aerial, maritime and border dominion over that hermetic coastal strip.

Since Israeli disengagement in August 2005, about 1.5 million Palestinians have been made to endure the isolation, imprisonment and occupation imposed upon the Gaza Strip territory – this inhumane gruesome occupation policy extinguishes every flicker of hope in coming generations. No less appalling are the Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, women and children. And as you read these words, more families are mourning the most recent victims of these aggressions.