To: Jose Manuel Barroso President of the Commission

Commission Europeene
B -1049 Brussels
Belgium

Amsterdam, 3 July 2006

Dear President Barroso,

We have noted the statements of 30 January, 9 May 2006 and 19 June 2006, made on behalf of the Quartet (United Nations, United States, European Union and Russian Federation).

In these statements the Quartet has endorsed a European Union proposal for a temporary international mechanism, limited in scope and duration, which operates with full transparency and accountability and which will meet certain needs of the Palestinian people, including support for health services, fuel and utilities and basic needs. It is hoped that additional donors, including Israel, will be found to participate in this mechanism, which will be reviewed after three months.

The Palestinian Authority is requested to commit itself to the principles of nonviolence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements, including the Road Map. These demands on the Palestinian Authority are, of course, essential if there is to be a lasting peace.

However, we must put the question to the European Union as to why it, and the other parties of the Quartet, has not made a single demand of the Government of Israel. This is especially disturbing in the light of the current actions of Israel in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and the West Bank. It is the Government of Israel which has rejected countless United Nations resolutions and its obligations under the Geneva Convention and international law. Israel continues its occupation and expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. It is the Government of Israel which has annexed large parts of the West Bank. Israel ignored the decision of the International Court of Justice in July 2004 concerning the construction of the Separation Wall, and has established an apartheid system of roads and many checkpoints in the Occupied West Bank.

It should be apparent to the Member States of the European Union that the Government of Israel has not made any concessions which would lead to Israeli-Palestinian peace. We question whether the Government of Israel has acknowledged the Palestinians’ right to exist and self-determination.

In addition, the extrajudicial executions, arrests and wanton killing by the Israeli army of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including women, children and men, cannot be excused for any reason. The Government of Israel has stated openly that it intends to continue these actions, despite world criticism, including that of the United Nations Secretary-General. We ask the officials of the European Union how many innocent people in the Gaza Strip will be killed before Israel is restrained in its murderous policies against a captive population. While we fully condemn the Qassem rocket attacks on Sderot from Gaza these attacks cannot be compared to the air strikes, sonic booms and constant shelling from land and sea by the Israeli army, which is in possession of the most modern military weapons and planes.

The message which is being given by the European Union is, for this reason, greatly disturbing. By allowing the Government of Israel to dictate its demands and reject international law, and by the boycott of the European Union of the democratically elected Palestinian Government and, therefore, the Palestinian people, there is a severe imbalance in EU policy. Because of Israel’s continuing occupation and its destruction of Palestinian society, Palestinians have become increasingly dependent on aid from outside. It is humiliating for them to be forced to accept charity when, if allowed to finally have their free, viable and independent State, they would in most probability be able to provide for themselves.

We request that the European Union

a) begin discussions with the Palestinian Government
b) resume economic aid to the Palestinians
c) disassociate itself from Israel’s use of starvation as a political weapon
d) demand that Israel deliver the monies that belong to the Palestinians as well as to the Palestinian Authority
e) disassociate itself from the unilateral demands placed on the Palestinians while working for unconditional negotiations with the aim of finding a solution which fulfills the national and humanitarian interests of both parties
f) end the blockade of the EU on the democratically elected Government of Palestine.

The European Jews for a Just Peace request that our reservations and concerns with regard to recent decisions taken by the European Union be taken into account. Only complete objectivity and justice in dealing with the two parties involved will lead to a lasting peace in the region, which is certainly the aspiration and in the best interests of all, Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Dror Feiler
Chairman
Executive Committee, EJJP