AAJ DECLARATION CONDEMNING THE ISRAELI ATTACKS IN GAZA

The American Association of Jurists, non-governmental organisation with consultative status at the UN Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC) condemns the typically state-terrorist military actions carried out by Israel in Gaza, through massive deployment of troops, the assassination of children, the elderly, and women, the blockade of the Palestinian civilian population, and the indiscriminate destruction of the infrastructure vital to the distribution of food and basic necessities - such as the main electric power plant. Such actions which affect more than a million Palestinians living in Gaza, are in clear violation of the United Nations Charter, of all the international Human Rights instruments and of the Geneva Conventions. The supposed justification, of retaliation for the "kidnapping" of an Israeli soldier, is so disproportionate that it does not stand up to even the most simple logical or legal analysis, as Israel, illegal Occupying Power in the Territories since 1967, holds more than 8,000 Palestinians prisoners in its jails.

The spiral of violence in rising, endangering the stability of the entire Middle East region. Especially so the recent Israeli provocation with their buzzing of Syrian airspace, threatening retaliation if Syria does not turn over the Hamas leader, Jaled Meshal. Worse, in another show of brutal illegality, a commando operation has kidnapped and removed from the Occupied Territories a number of legislators elected by the Palestinian population, and is holding them prisoner. We believe that these warlike acts by Israel seek to overthrow the recently constituted Palestinian government and refuse to reach a peace agreement based on immediate and unconditional withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967, including the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

FOR THIS REASON, THE AAJ CALLS

1. FOR the immediate cessation of actions by Israel against the Palestinian population in Gaza and the withdrawal of its Armed Forces from Gaza.

2. ON the parties to seek a negotiated solution, under United Nations supervision, so that both parties may exchange prisoners.

3. ON the US government to cease and desist from its unconditional support to the State of Israel in its criminal acts against the Palestinian people, and to suspend all military and financial aid until Israel withdraws from the territories occupied in 1967.

4. FOR Israel, the European Union and the USA to provide economic assistance for the reconstruction of the Gaza infrastructure.

5. FOR IMMEDIATE FREEDOM for the members of the Palestinian government.

6. We hope that future negotiations will lead to a just and lasting peace, consistent with UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, as well as the pertinent resolutions passed by the General Assembly, such that Israel must withdraw its armed forces from the territories occupied in 1967, including the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

July 4, 2006

Clea Carpi da Rocha

AAJ President

Vanessa Ramos

AAJ Secretary General