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Middle East
Upper Hudson Peace Action Statement
Peace for Israel and Palestine
All parties in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict experience fear and suffering. Violence and military force
can not bring peace or provide true security. Peace begins with the
recognition of common humanity in the former enemy and sincere respect
for their legitimate rights and human needs.
It is long past time for the Israelis
and Palestinians to turn from the cycle of violence and retaliation and
agree to a full, just and lasting peace. Such a peace would protect the
rights of both Palestinians and Israelis, including the right to self
determination, security from violence, and fair access to the
necessities of life, in particular land and water.
Recognition of the right of self
determination implies that Israelis must abandon policies of occupation
and that both Palestinians and Israelis must accept the existence of
their respective states within mutually agreed upon borders.
The basic element of a viable peace
settlement – the principle of land for peace – has long been known, and
has been asserted in United Nations Resolution 242, the Geneva Accords,
and the recent Saudi peace initiative endorsed by the Arab League.
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We support the many Israeli and Palestinian peace activists working for
reconciliation through nonviolent means.
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We call on the United States and other powers to use their full
diplomatic leverage to press the parties to end their armed conflict
immediately and commence negotiations for a full and sustainable peace
treaty.
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We oppose the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, including East
Jerusalem; and the Gaza Strip.
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We support a two-state solution to the conflict.
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We call for both sides to work with the United Nations to develop a
program that will resolve the Palestinian right of return issue.
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We call for an end to all arms sales in the Middle East.
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We call for a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East.
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Palestinian
Rights Committee
An affiliate of Upper Hudson Peace Action
Paul Rehm
Available to Speak
Paul Rehm, a
member of Peace Action’s Steering Committee, has made numerous trip to Palestine as delegate with
the Christian Peacemaker Team living and
working in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Speak Out to Protect the
Children
by Paul Rhem
Resolution:
Supporting a Fair and Just Resolution to the Israel/Palestine Impasse
Passed by the Peace Action National Congress, July 2008
Links
Many useful websites with
resources and information on the
Israeli-Palestinian
conflict |
