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| Middle East peace lies in Obama's hands | Middle East peace lies in Obama's hands |
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| Peace does indeed lie in your hands, Obama (Report, 22 March). Obama's call on Israel to end the occupation was strong on rhetoric but light on details about how the peace process might move forward. As a frequent visitor to Gaza and the West Bank, I shake my head in disbelief that the world has no idea how much damage Israel is doing there on a daily basis. It is relentless, ruthless and unreported, and will not stop until the US and UN apply serious pressure. | Peace does indeed lie in your hands, Obama (Report, 22 March). Obama's call on Israel to end the occupation was strong on rhetoric but light on details about how the peace process might move forward. As a frequent visitor to Gaza and the West Bank, I shake my head in disbelief that the world has no idea how much damage Israel is doing there on a daily basis. It is relentless, ruthless and unreported, and will not stop until the US and UN apply serious pressure. |
| Obama said: "Just as Israelis built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people in their own land," and urged Israelis to "look at the world through their eyes". Well, they see the US supporting Israel to the tune of $3,1bn in 2012. Is the UN not the best place to foster recognition and negotiations? Well, in November, Palestine applied to the UN general assembly to upgrade its status to non-member observer state. This passed by a vote of 138–9. In response, the US senate proposed a complete cut-off of all US aid to Palestine and evicting of Palestine's representatives from Washington. Further, we see the UN's top human rights body passing five resolutions critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. The US was the only member of the 47-nation council to vote against the resolutions. Construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian lands violates the fourth Geneva convention; the minute Obama left, the evictions of Palestinians from their homes resumed. A lobby effort needs to take on the US as much as Israel if we are to see justice and peace. Catherine Thick Founder, Equity & Peace | Obama said: "Just as Israelis built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people in their own land," and urged Israelis to "look at the world through their eyes". Well, they see the US supporting Israel to the tune of $3,1bn in 2012. Is the UN not the best place to foster recognition and negotiations? Well, in November, Palestine applied to the UN general assembly to upgrade its status to non-member observer state. This passed by a vote of 138–9. In response, the US senate proposed a complete cut-off of all US aid to Palestine and evicting of Palestine's representatives from Washington. Further, we see the UN's top human rights body passing five resolutions critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. The US was the only member of the 47-nation council to vote against the resolutions. Construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian lands violates the fourth Geneva convention; the minute Obama left, the evictions of Palestinians from their homes resumed. A lobby effort needs to take on the US as much as Israel if we are to see justice and peace. Catherine Thick Founder, Equity & Peace |
| • The brokering by Barack Obama of a reconciliation between Israel and Turkey demonstrates he can make a difference in the Middle East if he can be bothered. This makes it all the more deplorable that on his exhibitionistic visit he did not bother to lift a finger to end the repression, oppression and suppression of the Palestinians by the Israelis. Gerald Kaufman MP Lab, Manchester Gorton | • The brokering by Barack Obama of a reconciliation between Israel and Turkey demonstrates he can make a difference in the Middle East if he can be bothered. This makes it all the more deplorable that on his exhibitionistic visit he did not bother to lift a finger to end the repression, oppression and suppression of the Palestinians by the Israelis. Gerald Kaufman MP Lab, Manchester Gorton |
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