The roots of the present violence certainly lie there, and in Israel s systematic violation of Palestinians human rights including collective punishments. The repeated use of excessive military and armed force in the name of a false notion of security has effectively denied both peace and security to both peoples. This force has been turned now upon the Arab population of Israel itself, contributing further to their vulnerability and alienation. It has intensified the polarization of Israeli society and widened the chasm that separates Israelis from Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories. We believe that a shared future is not only possible, but essential.
Christians firmly believe in forgiveness and reconciliation.
But for this to be possible it is essential for the truth about past offenses to be revealed publicly, to be acknowledged and shared. We hope that this Commission will take a lead to put such a mechanism in place without delay. Without such a process there can be little hope for overcoming impunity or for justice, peace or reconciliation between Israeli Jews and Palestinian Christians and Muslims. However, Mr. Chairman, the experience of this Commission through the work of the Special Rapporteur, and of the United Nations General Assembly through its Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People is not encouraging. These have been efforts to ascertain the truth, but that truth has not been acknowledged and shared by the Occupying Power.