Irish Civil Society Calls for Boycott of "Israel"

Source: Pulse, 04-02-2009

The following letter was published in a full-page advertisement in The Irish Times on 31 January 2009:
The original ad, including signatures may be downloaded here. [PDF]
"Israel's" bombardment of Gaza killed over 1,300 Palestinians, a third of them children. Thousands have been wounded. Many victims had been taking refuge in clearly marked UN facilities.

This assault came in the wake of years of economic blockade by "Israel". This blockade, which is illegal under international humanitarian law, has destroyed the Gaza economy and condemned its population to poverty. According to a World Bank report last September, "98 percent of Gaza's industrial operations are now inactive."

The most recent attack on Gaza is only the latest phase in "Israel's" oppression of the Palestinian people and appropriation of their land.
"Israel" has never declared its borders. Instead, it has continuously expanded at the expense of the Palestinians. In 1948, it took over 78 percent of Palestine, an area much larger than that suggested for a 'Jewish' (Zionist) state by the UN General Assembly in 1947.

Contrary to international law, "Israel" expelled over 750,000 Palestinians from their homes. These refugees and their descendants, who now number millions, are still dispersed throughout the region. They have the right, under international law, to return to their homes. This right has been underlined by the UN General Assembly many times, starting with Resolution 194 in 1948.

In 1967, "Israel" occupied the remaining 22 percent of Palestine: the West Bank and Gaza. Contrary to Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, "Israel" has built, and continues to build, settlements in these occupied territories. Today, nearly 500,000 "Israeli" settlers live in the illegal settlements in the West Bank (including East 'Jerusalem' [al-Quds]), and the number grows daily as "Israel" expands its settler program.

"Israel" has resisted pressure from the international community to abide by the human rights provisions of international law. It has refused to comply with UN Security Council demands to cease building settlements and remove those it has built (Resolutions 446, 452 and 465) and to reverse its illegal annexation of East 'Jerusalem' (252, 267, 271, 298, 476 and 478). Since September 2000, over 5,000 Palestinians, almost 1,000 of them minors have been killed by the "Israeli" military.

Eleven-thousand Palestinians, including hundreds of minors, languish in "Israel" jails. Hundreds are detained without trial. In addition, "Israel" is breaking international law by imprisoning them outside the occupied territories, thereby making it almost impossible for their families to visit them. Every year, hundreds of Palestinian homes are demolished.

The Palestinian population of the West Bank and Gaza lives imprisoned by walls, barriers and checkpoints that prevent or impede access to shops, schools, workplaces, hospitals and places of worship. They are subjected to restrictions of every kind and to daily ritual humiliation at the hands of occupation soldiers and checkpoint guards.

Invasion, occupation and plantation of their land is the reality that Palestinians have faced for decades and still face on a daily basis, as their country is reduced remorselessly. Unless, and until, this "Israeli" aggression is halted, and the democratic rights of the Palestinian people are vindicated, there will be no justice or peace in the Middle East. "Israel's" 40-year occupation of the West Bank and Gaza must be ended.

The occupation can end if political and economic pressure is placed on "Israel" by the international community. Recognizing this, the Palestinian people continually call on the international community to intervene.

We, the signatories, call for the following:

.The Irish Government to cease its purchase of "Israeli" military products and services and call publicly for an arms embargo against "Israel".
.The Irish Government to demand publicly that "Israel" reverse its settlement construction, illegal occupation and annexation of land in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and to use its influence in international fora to bring this about.

.The Irish Government to demand publicly that the Euro-Med Agreement under which "Israel" has privileged access to the EU market be suspended until "Israel" complies with international law.
.The Irish Government to veto any proposed upgrade in EU relations with "Israel."
.The Irish people to boycott all "Israeli" goods and services until "Israel" abides by international law.