ADC Press Release:
Israel Again Bombs Defenseless Palestinian Cities;
International Protection for Palestinians Urgently Required

Washington, D.C., Nov. 20 - - The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the nation’s largest Arab-American membership organization, has reiterated its urgent call for international protection for the Palestinian people following another air raid against Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.  Israeli helicopter gunships fired missiles at several civilian targets in Gaza today, knocking out power in much of the city.  These attacks appear to be official Israeli vengeance for the bombing of an Israeli settler bus in Gaza yesterday.  Palestinian officials deny any connection with the bus attack and Israel has not accused the PA of responsibility for it, yet Israel has chosen to respond by attacking civilian and public targets connected to the authority.  This bombing is the latest escalation of Israel’s violent suppression of Palestinian protests against 33 years of Israeli occupation in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

In a letter to President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright, ADC President Hala Maksoud called upon the U.S. government to use its influence to allow the international community to extend the necessary protection to the defenseless Palestinian people.  She wrote that  “this outrageous attack seems designed to undo any possibility of a lowering of tensions and a peaceful end to Israeli occupation.  There can be no further doubt about the urgent need for an international force to protect the Palestinian people from these continuous attacks by Israel’s occupation troops.  Israel has gone from using live fire and tanks against protesters,  to assassinating Palestinian leaders, to repeatedly bombing defenseless Palestinian cities.  It is clear that the Israelis will stop at nothing to enforce their occupation.  The international community can no longer stand by and watch this slaughter continue.  The Palestinians need protection now.”

More than 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in recent weeks, many of them children.  Yesterday, Israeli soldiers shot three more Palestinians, including a 14 year old child.  The Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reports  today that Israel has given its soldiers “shoot to kill” orders against all Palestinian protesters over the age of 12.  On Oct. 19, The UN Human Rights Commission voted to condemn Israel for ``widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights” and ``the  indiscriminate use of force in violation of international humanitarian law.” Amnesty International has also condemned the "excessive use of lethal force" by Israel and the killing of large numbers of unarmed children.  On October 7, the UN Security Council condemned "acts of violence,  especially the excessive use of force against Palestinians, resulting in injury and loss of human life" and "called upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and its responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention."
 
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ADC is the largest Arab-American grassroots organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk. To receive membership information, please send us your name and mailing address or visit our website.