One year’s denial of democracy in
Palestine
Israel, the United States of America and the
European Union bear the responsibility!
On 25 January 2006 free and
democratic elections were held to choose a
new Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC),
which received universal praise for the
exemplary way in which they were conducted.
The outcome was that Hamas emerged as the
strongest power and the designated
Government.
Since the election the governments of
the United States of America, the European
Union and Israel have enforced a paralysing
boycott of Hamas, inflicting collective
punishment on the entire Palestinian
population of the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank.
With the declared aim of obstructing
the Hamas Government Israel has, since March
2006, withheld the tax money raised in the
OccupiedTerritories and due to the
Palestinian Authority. Payments to maintain
public services and a guaranteed minimum
social security, agreed on in accordance
with the Fourth Geneva Convention, are also
being withheld by the European Union and the
United States. This has made it impossible
for the Palestinian Authority to pay
salaries and maintain even the usual
services. All staff members of the
Authority, including teachers, doctors and
policemen have gone unpaid for almost an
entire year. Donations from Arab States,
international and private sources do not
reach the population of the
OccupiedTerritories.
Hunger, deprivation and despair are
the consequence.
The elected government has not been
given the opportunity to govern. In June
2006 64 officials, including 8 Ministers and
20 other Parliamentarians, were arrested by
the Israeli army. Other functionaries in
politics and society have since been living
underground.
It is obvious that Israel refuses to
negotiate with any Palestinian partner, no
matter which party is in power. Supported by
the governments of the EU and USA the
Israeli occupiers have now proceeded to even
deny the Palestinians a government and
political leaders their own free choice.
Today, one year after the Palestinian
elections, the Executive Committee of the
European Jews for a Just Peace condemns the
boycott, siege and collective punishment of
the entire Palestinian population, which has
reached inhuman and catastrophic levels in
all parts of the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem
and the West Bank. Together with many other
peace and solidarity groups we call on the
governments in Europe and the USA to end the
boycott of the Palestinian government and
the collective punishment of the Palestinian
people in the OccupiedTerritories.
Only with unbiased, honest, and fair
negotiations between all parties concerned
and a complete end to the Israeli occupation
can a solution to the conflict be reached, a
solution which will be beneficial for
Palestinians and Israelis alike.
The European Union must end the
boycott of a democratically elected
government and demand the release of
democratically elected legislators. European
Jews for a Just Peace, with members and
contacts in many member states of the EU
intends a series of meetings with
Commissioners and MEPs to press these
demands.
Executive Committee
European Jews for a Just Peace
25 January 2007
