HELP PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT
We welcome the recent statement by our Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar that Islamic states should give both financial and other forms of aid to HAMAS to enable it to lead the Palestinian Authority (PA).
It is deplorable that the United States , the self-proclaimed champion of democracy, pressured the PA to return $50 million aid given earlier for regenerating the Palestinian economy following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. Also, Israel has illegally stopped handing over nearly $ 55 million a month in sales taxes and customs fees that Israel collects on behalf of the PA.
These repressive measures have been taken to punish the Palestinians for electing HAMAS in free and fair elections to form the government. By denying the material resources needed to run the government and to look after the welfare of the people, both the US and Israel are hoping that the HAMAS government would collapse and be replaced by one pliant to Israel’s interests.
The US , as a condition for giving aid, is insisting that HAMAS recognize Israel , renounce violence and commit itself to the Roadmap for Peace. The imposition of these conditions amounts to a blackmail and HAMAS has rightly rejected them. As Khalid Mishâ'al, the head of its political bureau, said: 'We will not sell our people or principles for foreign aid'.
In imposing these conditions the US is being hypocritical and adopting double standards. It demands that HAMAS recognize Israel but ignores Israel's adamant refusal to recognize the right of self-determination and the right to return of the Palestinian people as guaranteed by international law and numerous United Nations resolutions.
It insists on HAMAS, a liberation movement, renouncing armed struggle before a peace treaty is negotiated and signed. On the other hand, Israel is not required even to give a commitment to observe international law and end its illegal occupation, and renounce violence.
After dismantling the settlements in the Gaza strip which were a drain on its resources, Israel has intensified its ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem and the building of settlements in West Bank . It has carried out more killings, arrests and imposed collective punishment on Palestinians without any effective action from you to stop these violations of international law and human rights. Yet the US has done nothing to stop these illegal acts
The US wants HAMAS's commitment to the Roadmap for Peace. But, Israel , by building the Apartheid Wall and more settlements in the Occupied Territories , and ethnic cleansing of Jerusalem , has already killed the road map.
The International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion on the Apartheid Wall issued on 9 July 2004, has categorically found Israel to be in violation of The Hague Convention of 1907, the Fourth Geneva Convention, human rights conventions and the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people.
The Court emphasized that the General Assembly and the Security Council 'should consider what further action is required to bring to an end the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall'. Except for the General Assembly passing a toothless resolution, no effective action, e.g. imposition of sanctions, has been taken against Israel 'to end the illegal situation'.
Contemptuous of international law and the opinion of the ICJ, the acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently announced plans to unilaterally define Israel’s borders and create an emasculated Palestinian state on Israel’s terms. Jerusalem with Masjid AL Aqsa is to be the capital of Israel .
It is now the responsibility of the OIC, Muslim nations and progressive governments to help the Palestinian people to survive and continue their struggle for liberation from settler colonialism, and for freedom and justice. Israel’s design to create a Bantustan for the Palestinians, similar to what the racist white regime in South Africa did to the black Africans, must be defeated and the apartheid in Palestine ended.
We therefore call on:
The Malaysian government to donate $50 million to the Palestinian Authority.
OIC member states to bankroll the financial needs of the PA and thereby eliminate its dependency on the US and the European Union for funds.
The United Nations to impose a comprehensive regime of sanctions against Israel until it complies with UN resolutions and international law.
Civil society to boycott goods and services from the US and Israel.
Shortly we shall be launching a campaign, ˜Minimum $1 for Palestine ' to express our support for the Palestinian cause.
----------------------------------------------------
Endorsement Statement by NGO:
As at 25/2/2006 :
1.Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM)
2.Citizens International (CI)
3.Darul Syifa
4.Ikatan Siswazah Muslim Malaysia (ISMA)
5.International Movement for a Just World (JUST)
6.Islami Information & ServicesI (IIS)
7.Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
8.Muslim Professional Forum (MPF)
9.Pergerakan Belia India Muslim Malaysia MALAYSIA (GEPIMA)
10.Persatuan Al-Hidayah
11.Persatuan Al-Hunafa
12.Persatuan Cina Muslim Malaysia (MACMA)
13.Persatuan Darul Fitrah
14.Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM)
15.Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM)
16.Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM)
17.Persekutuan Pertubuhan India Muslim Malaysia (PERMIM)
18.Persekutuan Seruan Islam Selangor dan (JAM'IYAH)
19.Pertubuhan Al-Nidaa'
20.Pertubuhan Kebajian Islam Malaysia (PERKIM)
21.Research & Information Centre on Islam (RICOI)
23.Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Serantau Asia (SHURA)
24.Teras Pengupayaan Malayu (TERAS)
25.World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Malaysia ,
26.Yayasan Pembangunan Ummah (YPU)
It is deplorable that the United States , the self-proclaimed champion of democracy, pressured the PA to return $50 million aid given earlier for regenerating the Palestinian economy following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. Also, Israel has illegally stopped handing over nearly $ 55 million a month in sales taxes and customs fees that Israel collects on behalf of the PA.
These repressive measures have been taken to punish the Palestinians for electing HAMAS in free and fair elections to form the government. By denying the material resources needed to run the government and to look after the welfare of the people, both the US and Israel are hoping that the HAMAS government would collapse and be replaced by one pliant to Israel’s interests.
The US , as a condition for giving aid, is insisting that HAMAS recognize Israel , renounce violence and commit itself to the Roadmap for Peace. The imposition of these conditions amounts to a blackmail and HAMAS has rightly rejected them. As Khalid Mishâ'al, the head of its political bureau, said: 'We will not sell our people or principles for foreign aid'.
In imposing these conditions the US is being hypocritical and adopting double standards. It demands that HAMAS recognize Israel but ignores Israel's adamant refusal to recognize the right of self-determination and the right to return of the Palestinian people as guaranteed by international law and numerous United Nations resolutions.
It insists on HAMAS, a liberation movement, renouncing armed struggle before a peace treaty is negotiated and signed. On the other hand, Israel is not required even to give a commitment to observe international law and end its illegal occupation, and renounce violence.
After dismantling the settlements in the Gaza strip which were a drain on its resources, Israel has intensified its ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem and the building of settlements in West Bank . It has carried out more killings, arrests and imposed collective punishment on Palestinians without any effective action from you to stop these violations of international law and human rights. Yet the US has done nothing to stop these illegal acts
The US wants HAMAS's commitment to the Roadmap for Peace. But, Israel , by building the Apartheid Wall and more settlements in the Occupied Territories , and ethnic cleansing of Jerusalem , has already killed the road map.
The International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion on the Apartheid Wall issued on 9 July 2004, has categorically found Israel to be in violation of The Hague Convention of 1907, the Fourth Geneva Convention, human rights conventions and the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people.
The Court emphasized that the General Assembly and the Security Council 'should consider what further action is required to bring to an end the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall'. Except for the General Assembly passing a toothless resolution, no effective action, e.g. imposition of sanctions, has been taken against Israel 'to end the illegal situation'.
Contemptuous of international law and the opinion of the ICJ, the acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently announced plans to unilaterally define Israel’s borders and create an emasculated Palestinian state on Israel’s terms. Jerusalem with Masjid AL Aqsa is to be the capital of Israel .
It is now the responsibility of the OIC, Muslim nations and progressive governments to help the Palestinian people to survive and continue their struggle for liberation from settler colonialism, and for freedom and justice. Israel’s design to create a Bantustan for the Palestinians, similar to what the racist white regime in South Africa did to the black Africans, must be defeated and the apartheid in Palestine ended.
We therefore call on:
The Malaysian government to donate $50 million to the Palestinian Authority.
OIC member states to bankroll the financial needs of the PA and thereby eliminate its dependency on the US and the European Union for funds.
The United Nations to impose a comprehensive regime of sanctions against Israel until it complies with UN resolutions and international law.
Civil society to boycott goods and services from the US and Israel.
Shortly we shall be launching a campaign, ˜Minimum $1 for Palestine ' to express our support for the Palestinian cause.
----------------------------------------------------
Endorsement Statement by NGO:
As at 25/2/2006 :
1.Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM)
2.Citizens International (CI)
3.Darul Syifa
4.Ikatan Siswazah Muslim Malaysia (ISMA)
5.International Movement for a Just World (JUST)
6.Islami Information & ServicesI (IIS)
7.Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
8.Muslim Professional Forum (MPF)
9.Pergerakan Belia India Muslim Malaysia MALAYSIA (GEPIMA)
10.Persatuan Al-Hidayah
11.Persatuan Al-Hunafa
12.Persatuan Cina Muslim Malaysia (MACMA)
13.Persatuan Darul Fitrah
14.Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM)
15.Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM)
16.Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM)
17.Persekutuan Pertubuhan India Muslim Malaysia (PERMIM)
18.Persekutuan Seruan Islam Selangor dan (JAM'IYAH)
19.Pertubuhan Al-Nidaa'
20.Pertubuhan Kebajian Islam Malaysia (PERKIM)
21.Research & Information Centre on Islam (RICOI)
23.Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Serantau Asia (SHURA)
24.Teras Pengupayaan Malayu (TERAS)
25.World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Malaysia ,
26.Yayasan Pembangunan Ummah (YPU)
posted by Herman Samsudeen @ 5:22:00 PM
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