Justice for Palestine now – end European complicity! A call from organizations throughout Europe

Samidoun is one of over 250 signatories to the following statement, coordinated by the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP)

A call from organizations throughout Europe

2017 marks:

  • 100 years since the « Balfour Declaration » of 1917, through which the British government unilaterally promised the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine;
  • 70 years since the partition plan of Palestine, adopted by the UN in 1947, which resulted in the 1948 Nakba, the demolition of more than 530 Palestinian villages and the expulsion of 750 000 Palestinians from their homeland, thus a process of ethnic cleansing;
  • 50 years since the beginning of Israel’s occupation in 1967 of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights, and an ongoing process of colonization and prolonged occupation by the State of Israel.

The continued dispossession of Palestinians of their land and their livelihood, including house demolition, land confiscation and apartheid wall; the denial of their culture and memory; the ten-year Gaza blockade creating severe inhuman conditions along with the recurrent military attacks on its population; the constant repression, resulting presently in over 7000 prisoners including more than 400 children held in military detention; the disastrous plight of Palestinian refugees further worsened by the war in Syria; and the draconian discriminatory laws in Israel itself: these facts, the fruits of over 100 years of denial of the rights of the Palestinian people, can no longer be accepted.

The anniversaries marked by the year 2017 remind us of the degree to which the colonial mindset, the denial of the rights of the Palestinian people, and the refusal to apply international law and UN resolutions lead to disaster.

These dates highlight the responsibility of European and Western countries for the existence of this situation, as well as the powerlessness into which the European Union has trapped itself, as it parades the principles of respect for international law without taking the measures to enforce them.

These dates remind us, also, that the building of peace cannot occur by ignoring the historic facts; and that to recognize History is the responsibility of all parties, first and foremost the Israeli State and people, contrary to the revisionist policy constantly promoted by Israel and pushed to the extreme by its current government. The European States were actors in the colonial system between the two World Wars; they made Palestine carry the consequences of the monstrous genocide of the European Jews by the Nazis; and subsequently they did nothing to require that Israel respect UN resolutions; they, too, must acknowledge the great responsibility that they bear in the tragedy endured by the Palestinian people today.

We call upon the EU and European States:

  • to make 2017 the year that the rights of the Palestinian people become a reality, in a binding timetable: the right to self-determination, the end of the occupation of all the West Bank including East Jerusalem and of the Gaza Strip, the right to equality for all citizens of Israel, and the right of return for all Palestinian refugees in the way of their choosing;
  • to cease all complicity with continued settlement activity and the myriad ways that Israel violates international law; and to demand an immediate end of the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and freedom of movement for Palestinians;
  • to take binding measures vis-à-vis the State of Israel, so long as it continues to violate international and human rights law, including the suspension of the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel until Israel complies with international law; to begin with, military and security cooperation – poorly concealed within several projects of the Horizon 2020 program – must be suspended immediately.

We, the undersigned, European civil society organizations, associations, political parties, and unions, solemnly reaffirm that in 2017, after 100 years of dispossession, denial, and ethnic cleansing, the rights of the Palestinian people must, at last, be respected.

Each with our respective views, we commit to act towards this goal, with the belief that a sustainable peace can only be achieved through enforcement of international law.

 

Signatories:

 

1. ECCP – European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine

2. Transform! Europe

3. PHM – Europe (People’s Health Movement)

 

4. Frauen in Schwarz (Wien), Austria

 

5. SODePAZ – Basque country

6. Internazionalistak Auzolanean – Basque country

7. ASOCIACI√ìN BILADI – Basque country

8. Fundacion Mundubat, Basque country

 

9. PVDA/PTB – political party, Belgium

10. CNCD-11.11.11 – NGO platform, Belgium

11. 11.11.11 – NGO platform, Belgium

12. Broederlijk Delen – NGO, Belgium

13. Pax Christi – Flanders – NGO, Belgium

14. Solidarité socialiste – NGO, Belgium

15. Mouvement Ouvrier Chrétien, Belgium

16. Comac, Belgium

17. G3W–M3M – NGO, Belgium

18. Intal, Belgium

19. Association Belgo-Palestinienne WB, Belgium

20. Palestina Solidariteit, Belgium

21. Union des Progressistes Jiufs de Begique, Belgium

22. Vrede vzw, Belgium

23. Agir pour la Paix, Belgium

24. CADTM Belgique (Comité pour l’Abolition des Dettes illégitimes), Belgium

25. BACBI – Belgian Campaign For An Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, Belgium

26. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Belgium

27. Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine, Belgium

28. Solidarity With Bedouins Committee, Belgium

29. PJPO Ittre, Belgium

30. Via Velo Palestina, Belgium

31. Les Amis du Monde Diplomatique, Belgium

32. Composantes de la Communauté Arabe de Belgique – CoCABe, Belgium

33. V-SB (Vlaams-Socialistische Beweging)

34. Croiseregard asbl. Belgium

 

35. International Solidarity Movement, Czech Republic group

 

36. Finnish-Arab Friendship Society, Finland

37. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)– Finland

 

38. EELV (Europe Ecologie les Verts) – political party, France

39. Ensemble – political party, France

40. Parti Communiste Français – political party, France

41. Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste (NPA), political party, France

42. Parti des Indigènes de la République – political party, France

43. Federation Syndicale Unitaire – trade union federation, France

44. Union syndicale Solidaires – trade union, France

45. La Cimade, France

46. CCFD-Terre Solidaire, France

47. CEMEA Association Nationale, France

48. AFPS (Association France Palestine Solidarite), France

49. Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine, France

50. MRAP (Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’Amitie entre les peuples), France

51. Mouvement de la Paix, France

52. Union Juive Française pour la Paix, France

53. BDS France

54. Mouvement pour une Alternative Non-violente (MAN), France

55. Femmes Egalité, France

56. Collectif Judeo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine, France

57. Collectif Interuniversitaire pour la Cooperation avec les Universites Palestiniennes, France

58. CVPR-PO, France

59. La Forge, France

60. AJPF, France

61. CPPI Saint-Denis [Collectif Paix Palestine Israel], France

62. PHM France

63. Centre for Global Education, France

64. Espaces Marx, France

65. AURDIP (Association des Universitaires pour le Respect du Droit International en Palestine
Union syndicale Solidaires), France

66. CJPP5 Comité Justice et Paix en Palestine et au Proche-Orient 5eme
PG, France

67. Droit Solidarité, France

68. MJCF Mouvement Jeunes Communistes de France, France

69. UTIT Union des Travailleurs Immigrés Tunisiens, France

70. LA COURNEUVE-PALESTINE, France

71. Association des Travailleurs Maghrébins de France (ATMF), France

72. Terre des Hommes France, France

73. Association « Pour Jérusalem », France

74. Atelier Israël Palestine du GAIC : Groupe d’Amitié Islamo Chrétienne, France

75. The Fédération Artisans du Monde, France

76. Forum Palestine Citoyenneté, France

77. Participation et Spiritualité Musulmanes, France

78. AILES femmes du Maroc, France

 

79. Pax Christi Erding-Dorfen – NGO, Germany

80. Bundesarbeitskreis der LINKEN Gerechter Frieden in Nahost – Federal Working Group on “Just Peace in the Middle East”), Germany

81. DIE LINKE. Niedersachsen LAG Gerechter Frieden Nahost –  State Working Group Lower Saxony on “Just Peace in the Middle East”), Germany

82. Jewish Voice of Peace, Germany

83. German-Palestinian Association e.V., Germany

84. Palästinakomitee Stuttgart, Germany

85. Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue Group Munich, Germany

86. AK Nahost Berlin, Germany

87. Arbeitskreis Palästina, Nürnberg, Germany

88. Attac rhein-sieg, Germany

89. BDS Berlin, Germany

90. BDS Hamburg, Germany

91. BDS-Gruppe Bonn, Germany

92. « Das Palästina Portal », Germany

93. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft Bremen e.V., Germany

94. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft, Regionalgruppe Düsseldorf, Germany

95. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft Nordrhein-Westfalen (Süd), Germany

96. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft e.v. Regionalgruppe Ruhrgebiet, Germany

97. Deutscher Freidenker-Verband; Landesverband Hessen, Germany

98. German Freethinkers Association, Germany

99. Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V., Germany

100. Frauen wagen Frieden (Projektgruppe in der evangelischen Frauenarbeit der Pfalz), Germany

101. Gesellschaft zur Humanitären Unterstützung der Palästinenser e.V., Germany

102. Israel-Palästina Solidaritätskreis Darmstadt, Germany

103. Keep Hope Alive, Germany

104. Palästina/Nahost-Initiative Heidelberg, Germany

105. Solidarität International e.V., Germany

106. The European Alliance in Defence of Palestinian Detainees, Germany

107. Union of Palestinian Communities, Institutions and Activities in Europe, Germany

108. Vitaminepalestine, Germany

 

109. Fiom-Cgil – trade union, Italy

110. Confederazione Cobas – trade union, Italy

111. ARCI, Italy

112. ArciMilano, Italy

113. ArciLombardia, Italy

114. AssopacePalestina, Italy

115. Associazione di Amicizia Italo-Palestinese Onlus, Italy

116. Associazione per la Pace, Italy

117. Associazione Oltre il Mare, Italy

118. BDS Italia, Italy

119. BDS Italia / Coordinamento campagna BDS Bologna, Italy

120. BDS Ravenna, Italy

121. Cultura è Libertà, Italy

122. Comitato Pistoiese per la Palestina, Italy

123. Donne in nero, Italia, Italy

124. Italia-Cuba Milano, Italy

125. Le radici e le ali Onlus Milano, Italy

126. Libera, associazioni nomi e numeri contro le mafie, Italy

127. Rete ECO (Ebrei contro l’occupazione), Italy

128. Rete romana di solidarietà con il popolo palestinese, Italy

129. Rete Radiè Resch – Gruppo di Udine, Italy

130. Salaam Ragazzi dell’Olivo-comitato di Mlano-Onlus, Italy

131. Servizio civile Internazionale, Italy

132. Statunitensi contro la guerra/U.S. Citizens Against War (Florence), Italy

133. Un Ponte per, Italy

134. Ulaia Arte sud, Italy

135. Women in culture, Italy

136. WILPF Italia (Women international league for peace and freedom), Italy

137. AWMR (Donne della regione mediterranea), Italy

138. Reti di pace – Laboratorio Monteverde Roma, Italy

139. Make An Impact Association ONLUS, Italy

140. GAZZELLA onlus, Italy

 

141. Trócaire – development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Ireland

142. Mandate – the trade union for retail, bar and admin workers in Ireland

143. Communications Workers Union of Ireland – trade union, Ireland

144. Communication Workers Union Northern Ireland Region – trade union, Ireland

145. Derry Trades Union Council – trade union, Ireland

146. Sinn Féin – political party, Ireland

147. Communist Party of Ireland’ political party, Ireland

148. Action from Ireland (Afri), Ireland

149. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Ireland

150. Sadaka – the Ireland Palestine Alliance, Ireland

151. Trade Union Friends of Palestine, Ireland

152. Gaza Action Ireland, Ireland

153. Academics for Palestine, Ireland

154. Centre for Global Education, Ireland

155. The People’s Movement, Ireland

156. Jewish Voice for Just Peace, Ireland

157. Irish Anti-War Movement, Ireland

158. Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Ireland

159. Anti-Racism Network Ireland , Ireland

160. United Against Racism, Ireland

161. The Ireland Institute, Ireland

162. Workers Solidarity Movement, Ireland

 

163. Comité pour une paix juste au Proche-Orient, Luxembourg

164. FNCTTFEL – Landesverband, Luxembourg

 

165. Scotish Friends of Palestine – Scotland

 

166. Združena levica parliamentary group (ZL) – political party, Slovenia

167. Institute for Western Sahara studies – NGO, Slovenia

168. Institute Abraham – NGO, Slovenia

169. Drustvo Humanitas, Slovenia

 

170. Slovak Initiative for a Just Peace in the Middle East – Slovakia

 

171. Confederacion General del Trabajo CGT – trade union, Spain

172. Izquierda Unida – political party, Spain

173. Partido Comunista de España (PCE) – political party, Spain

174. Communist Youth Union of Spain, Spain

175. Coordinadora Valenciana de ONGD, Spain

176. Anticapitalistas, Spain

177. Asociacion Paz con Dignidad, Spain

178. Årea Paz y Solidaridad Izquierda Unida Toledo Provincial, Spain

179. Palestina Toma La Calle, Madrid, Spain

180. CAUM (Club de Amigos de la Unesco), Spain

181. Plataforma Córdoba por Palestina, Spain

182. ASPA, Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz, Spain

183. Plataforma Solidaria con Palestina de Valladolid, Spain

184. Asociación Transformando Madrid, Spain

185. UNADIKUM España, Spain

186. Moviment 15M Sabadell, Spain

187. Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe (CSCA), Spain

188. Yayoflautas Madrid, Spain

189. Coordinadora Andalucía con Palestina, Spain

190. HILOMBÉ SOLIDARIDAD, Spain

191. Rumgo a Gaza, Spain

192. CERAI, Spain

193. Transformando, S. Coop. Mad., Spain

194. Tierra y Culturas, Spain

195. Al-Quds Association for Solidarity with People in Arab Countries, Spain

196. Plaza de los Pueblos 15M Madrid, Spain

197. ALQUDS, Spain

198. Plataforma Solidaria por Palestina Valladolid, Spain

199. NitDempeusBCN, Spain

200. Asociacion Paz con Dignidad, Spain

201. Colectivo de Solidaridad con Palestina Al’Madafa, Spain

202. Palestina Toma la Calle, Madrid, Spain

203. Coordinadora Vallés Occ. 15M, Spain

204. Asociación de la Comunidad Hispano – Palestina « JERUSALÉN », Spain

205. Moviment 15M Sabadell, Spain

206. ASOCIACIÓN BILADI, Spain

207. CATNPUD, Spain

208. Asociación Médica Hispano Palestina, Spain

209. NOVACT – International Institute for Nonviolent Action , Spain

210. RESCOP – coalition that consists of:,

1. Al’Madafa

2.Anticapitalistas

3. Asociación Al-Quds de Solidaridad con los Pueblos del Mundo Árabe (Málaga)

4. Asociación de Amistad Palestina-Granada «Turab»

5. Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz – ASPA

6. Asociación Hispano Palestina Jerusalén (Madrid)

7. Asociación Palestina Biladi

8. Asociación Pau Ara y Sempre

9. Asociación Pro-Derechos Humanos de Andalucía

10. Asociación ProPalestina del Campo de Gibraltar

11. Asociación Unadikum

12. BDS Alacant

13. BDS Catalunya

14. BDS Granada

15. BDS Madrid

16. BDS País Valencià

17. Castelló per Palestina

18. Centro de Estudios Rurales y de Agricultura Internacional (CERAI)

19. Coalició Prou Complicitat amb Israel

20. Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe (Madrid, Asturias)

21. Comité de Solidaridad con los Pueblos – Interpueblos (Cantabria)

22. Comunidad Palestina en Canarias

23. Comunitat Palestina de Catalunya

24. Comunitat Palestina de València

25. Coordinadora de apoyo a Palestina (La Rioja)

26. Ecologistas en Acción (Confederal)

27. Fundación IEPALA

28. Fundación Mundubat

29. Grupo de Cooperación Sevilla Palestina

30. Hilombé Solidaridad

31. Izquierda Anticapitalista Revolucionaria (IZAR)

32. Komite Internazionalistak (Euskal Herria)

33. MEWANDO (Euskadi)

34. Movimiento de Jóvenes Palestinos

35. Mujeres en Zona de Conflicto – M.Z.C.

36. Mujeres por la Paz – Acción Solidaria con Palestina (Canarias)

37. Pallasos en Rebeldía

38. Paz Ahora

39. Paz con Dignidad

40. Plataforma de Solidaridad con Palestina (Sevilla)

41. Plataforma Palestina Ibiza

42. Plataforma Solidaria con Palestina de Valladolid

43. Palestina Toma la Calle

44. Red Judía Antisionista Internacional (IJAN)

45. Sodepau

46. Sodepaz

47. Sodepaz Balamil

48. Taula per Palestina (Illes Balears)

49. Unión de Juventudes Comunistas de España (UJCE)

 

211. Parti suisse du Travail – political party, Switzerland

212. Communist Party – political party, Switzerland

213. Housing and Land Rights Network, Switzerland

214. BDS Switzerland, Switzerland

215. Gerechtigkeit und Frieden in Palästina, Switzerland

216. Collectif Urgence Palestine Vaud, Switzerland

217. BDS Zuerich, Switzerland

218. Berner Mahnwache für einen gerechten Frieden in Israel/Palästina, Switzerland

 

219. Women in Black [Vrouwen in het Zwart Nederland], The Netherlands

220. Palestijnse gemeenschap in nederlad, The Netherlands

221. Diensten en Onderzoek Centrum Palestina (docP), The Netherlands

222. Nederlandse-Filippijnse Solidariteitsbeweging, The Netherlands

223. Nederlands arabische stichting nas, The Netherlands

224. EMCEMO, The Netherlands

225. Internationale Socialisten, The Netherlands

226. A’idoun, The Netherlands

227. Breed Platform Palestina, The Netherlands

228. Stichting Palestijnse Vrouwen in Nederland, The Netherlands

229. Stichting Groningen-Jabalya, The Netherlands

230. Nederlandse-Filippijnse Solidariteitsbeweging, The Netherlands

231. Diensten en Onderzoek Centrum Palestina (docP), The Netherlands

232. Netherlands Palestine Committee (NPK), The Netherlands

233. Palestine Workinggroup FNV, The Netherlands

234. Stichting Kairos Sabeel Nederland, The Netherlands

235. Christian Peacemaker Teams – Netherlands, The Netherlands

236. SAP/Grenzeloos, The Netherlands

237. Plant een Olijfboom, The Netherlands

238. Palestina Komitee Nijmegen, The Netherlands

 

239. The Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions Department 850, Oslo Graphic Workers Union – trade union federation, Norway

240. Industri Energi – trade union, Norway

241. Norwegian Transport Workers’ Union – trade union, Norway

242. LO i Oslo – trade union, Norway

243. NNN Oslo og Akershus – trade union, Norway

244. The Red Party (Rødt) – political party, Norway

245. Rød Ungdom – political party youth organisation , Norway

246. The Association of Norwegian NGOs for Palestine – umbrella of NGOs, Norway

 

247. Kairos Britain – NGO platform, UK

248. Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK

249. Europal Forum-UK

250. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK – ICAHD UK

251. Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine, UK

252. The Palestinian Return Centre, UK

253. Friends of Sabeel UK, UK

254. Muslim Association of Britain, UK

255. LibDem Friends of Palestine, UK

256. Make Apartheid History, UK

257. Amos Trust, UK

258. Palestinian Forum in Britain, UK