ZGram - 5/8/2004 - "275 European Politicians call for Sanctions on Israel"

[zgrams at zgrams.zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny:  Now more than ever!

May 8, 2004

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

I have been extremely upset over the revelations about the torture 
committed by Americans in Iraq.  Not that I think this is anything 
new - for today, almost 60 years ago, Germany surrendered, and mayhem 
and torture followed for months and months on end the likes of which 
the Allies have never really faced in mainstream media.  Very few 
books exist in America that describe how the victorious Allies 
behaved - not one bit different from what is now happening in places 
like Iraq. 

Will the Internet finally make a difference in that these 
abominations get exposed to the broad masses?

I read this morning that Antiwar.com, for instance, is more popular 
than Newsday, Time magazine, the USA Today's news page, and even the 
Associated Press, among other media giants!   Good for them!

The Zundelsite now logs twelve million hits per year!  Not bad for a 
website that was already under censorship attack in 1995!

Below is one items that shows at least some meaningful activism in Europe! 

[START]


Subject: Censored in America:  275 European Politicians call for 
Sanctions on   Israel

Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign

  Press Release

4 May 2004        

275 European Politicians call for Sanctions on Israel if Human Rights 
Abuses don't         end; Supported by 52 Irish Politicians from all 
parties and 12,000 Irish Citizens

  Press release: 4th May 2004 14.00hrs

  The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the European umbrella 
body for Palestine support groups, the ECCP, today handed the 
Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs petitions 
signed by 275 European parliamentarians, 210 European NGOs and over 
12000 Irish citizens, calling for trade sanctions against Israel 
unless human rights abuses in the Occupied Territories are ended.

  The parliamentarians' petition, signed by 52 Irish TDs, Senators and 
MEPs from all parties as well as independents, pointed out that the 
construction of the 'separation wall' through the West Bank is the 
culmination of years of human rights abuses.

  Speaking at a press conference after handing in the petitions, 
Raymond Deane, IPSC Chairman, said 'The EU-Israel Association 
Agreement grants Israel favourable trading terms with the EU. This 
agreement includes a clause, which says that it is based on respect 
for human rights and democratic principles. The building of the West 
Bank wall, which will dispossess and impoverish thousands of 
Palestinians, is the latest proof that the Israeli government does 
not respect these principles.

  'If the EU' s commitment to human rights is to be taken seriously, 
it must act now on the Association Agreement. Otherwise the human 
rights clause in that agreement will remain a dead letter.'  Agnès 
Bertrand, coordinator of the ECCP, said 'The Department of Foreign 
Affairs told us that consensus in the EU on sanctions is impossible 
and that sanctions would damage the EU' s ability to influence 
Israel. They said that the important thing was to re-establish 
dialogue between the two sides and to use the roadmap to bring about 
peace. But this is at odds with the reality on the ground. The 
Israeli government is destroying Palestinian society and has proved 
that it does not want the roadmap or dialogue. In the long-term the 
current situation is not sustainable for anyone. While the 
Palestinians suffer, hatred for Israel grows dangerously. Sanctions 
are the only option left.'

  Maren Karlitzky, European coordinator for the Anti-Apartheid Wall 
Campaign, said 'The level of support for this petition shows that 
European people do not agree with their governments'  position. 
Ordinary people in Europe are completely opposed to the actions of 
the Israeli government and support the struggle of the Palestinian 
people.'

  Caoimhe Butterly said 'Comprehensive sanctions played a fundamental 
part in raising international awareness of the oppression suffered in 
Apartheid South Africa. We are calling for official endorsement of a 
boycott of Israeli goods, whose purchase now helps pay for the 
illegal and immoral occupation of the Palestine territories. The 
Irish government should take a much stronger stance in opposing the 
illegal actions of the Israeli government.'

  (Source: 
http://student.cs.ucc.ie/cs1064/jabowen/IPSC/ipsc/displayRelease.php' 
releaseID=13 

[END]