Stop military invasion
Pax Christi International, Press Release, 2 April 2002
Pax Christi
International
Vieux Marché aux Grains 21 / 1000 Bruxelles / Belgium
Tel : ++32.2.502.55.50 / Fax : ++32.2.502.46.26 /
hello@paxchristi.net / www.paxchristi.net
Reference: ME33E02 Brussels, 2 April 2002
Press Release
Stop military invasion
Pax Christi, the International Peace Movement, calls for the immediate stop of the military invasion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by the Israeli army. According to sources from Bethlehem and Jerusalem, religious sites have been attacked and a priest has been killed. According to the Fourth Geneva Conventions, places of worship such as synagogues, mosques and churches should never be assaulted.
Suicide bombings by Palestinians have to stop as well. Innocent people may not become victims. The occupation of Israel of the West Bank and Gaza has to come to an end. The Palestinian Authorities should be able to govern their people and land.
Pax Christi International is urging the international community to deploy
as soon as possible an international presence, either in the form of international
peacekeeping mission or monitors. We are convinced that an effective international
presence in the region with the power to monitor the situation and to reduce
the use of violence can achieve a cease-fire or a cessation of violence.
The Arab Educational Institute in Bethlehem (AEI) is an Affiliated
Organisation to Pax Christi International. On 1 April, the AEI made an
appeal to all people to raise their voice and urge governments to put pressure
on PM Ariel Sharon to withdraw the Israeli Forces from the Palestinian
occupied territories, and to lift the siege on the Palestinian people and
its President. They also demand the immediate intervention of the United
Nations by “sending International peacekeeping forces to implement the
relevant United Nations resolutions, to impose a ceasefire and to reverse
the present
catastrophic developments.”
Today, HB Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and President
of Pax Christi International, led a non-violent peace march from Jaffa
Gate to PM Sharon’s offices in Rahavia’s Street. Other Patriarchs and Heads
of Churches of Jerusalem, as well as many religious congregations and ordinary
people, have supported the Patriarch. Msgr. Michel Sabbah is offering to
begin a mediation for peace and security for all the peoples in the Holy
Land.
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