Neugründung in Amsterdam:
European Jews for a Just Peace
Last Friday, representatives of eighteen European
grassroots Jewish peace groups gathered in Amsterdam to found a new
pan-European organization of Jews who oppose the Israeli occupation and seek
a just peace in the Middle East.
Attending the conference were delegates from groups in
Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and
Switzerland, some of which were formed during this second intifada, while
others have been active for more than 20 years. The newly formed
organization, called European Jews for a Just Peace, plans to reach out to,
and to speak to the greater public in the name of, the large numbers of
European Jews who are dissatisfied with Israeli policies towards the
Palestinians. In particular, it hopes to demonstrate the diversity of
opinion within the European Jewish community, which has lately seen
anti-Semitic attacks launched not only by non-Jews, but also by "mainstream"
Jews against other Jews who have criticized Israeli policies.
The group soon hopes to lobby the European Union, which is
Israel's biggest trading partner, to enforce agreements that require Israel
to abide by human rights conventions. EU action has thus far been
blocked, predominantly by Germany (from where there were also unfortunately
no delegates to the conference). Because of the legacy of the
Holocaust, Germans are reluctant to criticize Israel, much like an abusive
father who has seen the error of his ways but is so overwrought by guilt
that he does not intervene to stop abuse committed by his son. One
hopes that Germans (and all people) will come to understand that their guilt
for the Holocaust not only does not permit them to remain silent in the face
of human rights abuses by Israel or any other country, but makes it
imperative for them to speak out.
The new European group's initial statement is below, as well
as information on how to join, to help plan coordinated activities, and to
learn about the next conference, set for February 2003 in Brussels.
AG
We, representatives from sixteen Jewish peace organisations
from eight European countries, gathered together at the conference "Don't
say you didn't know" in Amsterdam on the 19 and 20th of September 2002,
call upon:
the Israeli government to change its current policy and
implement the proposals in the following declaration
and all other governments, the United Nations and the European Union to put
pressure on the Israeli government to implement the proposals in the
following declaration:
Declaration
We believe that the only way out of the current impasse is
through an agreement based on the creation of an independent and viable
Palestinian state and the guarantee of a safe and secure Israel and
Palestine.
This requires:
an immediate end of the occupation of the Occupied
Territories: West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem with recognition of the 4th
June 1967 borders;
complete withdrawal of all Jewish settlements in all the
Occupied Territories;
the recognition of the right of both states to have Jerusalem
as their capital;
the recognition by Israel of its part in the creation of the
Palestinian refugee problem. Israel should recognize in principle the
Palestinian right to return as a human right. The practical solution to the
problem will come about by agreement between parties based on just, fair and
practical considerations. It will include compensation, the return to the
territory of the State of Palestine or of Israel, without endangering
Israel's existence.
We call upon the international community, especially Europe,
for political and financial support.
Signed:
An Other Jewish Voice (The Netherlands)
Union des Progressistes Juifs de Belgique -UPJB (Belgium)
Network of Jews Against Occupation, Rome (Italy)
Group Martin Buber - Jews for Peace (U.K.)
Friends of the Israeli Palestinian Coalition of Peace - Just Peace (U.K.)
Jews for Justice for Palestinians (U.K.)
Jewish Socialist Group (U.K.)
British Friends of Peace Now Rabbis for Human Rights (U.K.)
Jewish Manifesto (Sweden)
The Swedish Jewish Peace Group (Sweden)
Judische Stimme fur einen gerechten Frieden zwischen Israel und
Palastina (Switzerland)
Union Juive Francaise pour la paix - UJFP (France)
Le Cercle Français de Juive Diasporque de Gauche cerle gaston cremieux
(France)
New Outlook (Denmark)
Additional statement:
The representatives of sixteen Jewish peace organisations
from eight European countries, gathered together at the invitation of
An Other Jewish Voice at a conference entitled "Don't say you didn't
know" in Amsterdam:
Agreed to adopt the name "European Jews for a Just Peace".
Agreed to support and draw courage from all the Israeli peace
and human rights groups, including the Refuseniks who oppose current Israeli
policies towards the Palestinians
Deplore the authoritarian and violent abuse by some Jews of
the rights to free speech of those expressing criticism of Israeli policies
Call on all Jewish organisations to ensure free speech,
thereby promoting a constructive discussion on how to achieve a just peace
in the Middle East.
To get in touch with European Jews for a Just Peace or one of
its member organizations, please contact:
Een Ander Joods Geluid
An Other Jewish Voice Amsterdam, Netherlands Email:
eajg@xs4all.nl.
hagalil.com 26-09-2002 |