Top architects accuse Israelis of oppression

Leading British architects have accused their counterparts in Israel of
complicity in schemes that contribute to the “social, political and economic
oppression of Palestinians”. The architects, including Will Alsop, Terry
Farrell, Richard MacCormac, Royal Institute of British Architects president
Jack Pringle and president-elect Sunand Prasad, have signed a petition
organised by the group Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine.

“APJP asserts that the actions of our fellow professionals working with these
enterprises are clearly unethical, immoral and contravene universally
recognised professional codes of conduct,” a spokesman said. “We ask the
Israeli Association of United Architects (IAUA) to meet their professional
obligations to declare their opposition to this inhuman occupation.”

Mr Alsop told Building Design magazine that they felt compelled to act.
“This is not against Israel, it’s for Palestine,” he said. “I think the
Palestinians are living in a prison. I’d like fellow colleagues in Israel to
feel some responsibility about this shabby treatment. Architects are a
fairly humanitarian lot and perhaps they could help.”

But the intervention was attacked by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
Its chief executive, Jon Benjamin, said: “What they are saying is that they
have a certain view and that Israeli architects must publicly declare that
to be their position as well.” Mr Benjamin said Israeli Arabs and Jews were
working together on numerous low-profile but worthy projects in the occupied
territories: “The two sides should be encouraged to work together.”

Special report
Israel and the Middle East

http://news.walla.co.il/?w=//858709#section2 2.2007
http://news.walla.co.il/?w=//858709#section2 2.2007