From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Mideast: New Jewish Agenda on Expulsions
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 01:17:34 GMT

/** mideast.action: 49.0 **/
** Topic: New Jewish Agenda on Expulsions **
** Written  1:34 pm  Dec 30, 1992 by dwald in cdp:mideast.action **
                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contacts:  Ira Grupper (502) 634-9559
           Nan Rubin (212) 781-9409
 
           NEW JEWISH AGENDA PROTESTS MASS EXPULSION OF PALESTINIANS
 
New York. December 29, 1992.  New Jewish Agenda, a national multi-issue
organization with over 40 chapters in north America, has called upon its
members to protest the expulsion of over 400 Palestinians from the West Bank
and Gaza Strip.
 
"While New Jewish Agenda strongly condemns the recent killings of Israeli
citizens and understands the need for Israel to protect its citizens from
violent attacks, we view the expulsion of the Palestinians as unjust, illegal
and damaging to the peace process," according to Ira Grupper, national co-
chair of New Jewish Agenda.  "In the long run this expulsion only undermines
Israeli/Palestinian negotiations, putting both Jews and Palestinians at even
greater risk of escalating violence and possibly war."
 
The need to oppose Hamas --- a fundamentalist organization responsible for
some recent attacks on Israelis, and a vigorous opponent of
Israeli/Palestinian negotiations --- is understandable.  But, adds Nan Rubin,
a spokesperson of Manhattan New Jewish Agenda, "one cannot bring about a just
and peaceful solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict by unjust means. 
The deported Palestinians have been neither tried nor convicted, and are now
stuck in a cold no-man's land in Lebanon.  Israel, a country of law for its
own citizens, should apply due process tot he Palestinians living in the
occupied territories."  The expulsion violates the Fourth Geneva Convention,
and was strongly condemned by the U.N. Security Council.
 
The expulsion of so many Palestinians at such a critical juncture in the
negotiations over Palestinian autonomy will only add another obstacle to the
difficult peace process.
 
According to Grupper, "The Palestinian negotiators need to show their
constituency some concrete results, such as an easing of extended curfews and
ending arrest without trial, if the negotiations are to continue.  By
expelling the 400 Palestinians to Lebanon the Palestinian negotiators are made
to look ineffectual in the eyes of the Palestinian public, while the
rejectionist Hamas are made into heroes.  Israel could not have done more to
strengthen one of its most implacable foes," says Grupper. "The damage can
only be undone by returning the 400 Palestinians."
 
New Jewish Agenda has consistently called for Israel to negotiate with the PLO
--- the representative body of the Palestinian people.  Now more than ever,
with the rejectionist Hamas and Islamic Holy War gaining followers in the
occupied territories, Israel should work together with the more moderate PLO
against the common fundamentalist opposition, a view recently expressed by a
number of Israeli cabinet ministers.  "Israel is indirectly negotiating with
the PLO already," Points out Rubin, "so why not eliminate the fiction and talk
directly tot he PLO. Talking to the PLO will help achieve results in the
negotiations, and will counter the fundamentalists who oppose any
Israeli/Palestinian compromise."
 
According to Rubin "Now more than ever a strong American role in the peace
process is needed. President-elect Clinton should use all possible resources
to promote constructive dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians; active
American intervention is needed of the negotiations are to move forward."
 
New Jewish Agenda calls upon all American Jews, and all supporters of Israel,
to tell the Israeli government --- and the new Clinton administration --- that
the expulsion of the 400 Palestinians is unjust, illegal and unacceptable. 
With all legal avenues in Israel exhausted, only outside pressure will induce
Israel to allow the 400 Palestinians to return.
 
                                     -30-

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