Urgent Appeal from the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem
9 October 2000
URGENT APPEAL
SALAAM
There is no doubt that the current violent conflict targeting the
Liberated Palestinian Territories, Jerusalem and the Arab Palestinian
citizens of Israel has markedly escalated over the past twenty-four
hours. On Sunday evening, October 8th, several hundreds of armed Israeli
settlers brazenly rampaged through Arab homes and businesses in
Nazareth, as well as the Jerusalem suburbs of Shufat, A-Ram and Beit
Hanina. Property was wantonly destroyed, people were attacked and
injured, and two Arab Palestinian Nazarenes were killed.
The increased focus of attack on the Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel
is a calculated change in policy. Over the last fifty-two years, this
has never happened. The Arab Palestinians of Israel have a proven
history of observance of the laws of Israel; their only recent
provocation to violent attacks has been peaceful demonstrations.
So far, over 90 Palestinians have been killed, including 13 Arab
Israelis, and of these over 50% are minors under the age of eighteen.
Over three thousand have been injured. Health care institutions are full
beyond capacity, and the Palestinian Ministry of Health reports a
dangerously low stock of medications and supplies. Hospitals in
neighboring Arab countries are also full with those critical cases that
have been transferred.
The recent closure of the Gaza Airport by Israel has not only hindered
the arrival of international donations of medical supplies and aid, it
has necessitated the transport of critically ill and injured patients
across the border to El Arish in Egypt for air evacuation. Your support
to help alleviate the pain of our injured will be greatly appreciated.
We ask that you send your gifts of kindness to our Diocese, which will
be earmarked toward Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and St. Luke's
Hospital in Nablus.
We recognize, with gratitude, the resolution of the United Nations
Security Council, condemning the extreme force used against Arab
Palestinians by the Israeli Armed Forces.
We call upon the international community to provide us, the Arab
Palestinians of the Liberated Palestinian Lands, the Holy City of
Jerusalem and inside the State of Israel, with protection. We fear for
our safety and security, and the safety of our families, neighbors and
loved ones.
We call upon the international community to compel the State of Israel
to withdraw its armed forces, troops, armed settlers and civilians, and
vigilante patrols from all inhabited areas of Liberated Palestine, as
well as the predominately Arab populated areas of East Jerusalem and
Israel.
We call upon the international community to demand a proper
investigation of the causes behind the current bloody aggression, to be
carried out by a neutral party, such as the United Nations.
We call upon the international community to force the government of
Israel to honor, comply and abide by all previous United Nations
resolutions and withdraw from areas still under Israeli occupation since
1967, including East Jerusalem.
We ask that the international community support our endeavor to raise
the funds necessary to cover the cost of legal proceedings against those
found responsible, with the object of recouping the loss of property and
life, and the devastating effects of injury to body, mind and spirit.
This will be done through an Ecumenical Fund for Legal Aid to Support
Palestinian Victims of Violence.
We deeply value your support in prayer and your endeavor to bring
awareness of the Palestinian cause to your respective governments.
In Christ, + Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem
Palestine Affairs Council