Last week, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was unequivocal in his message to the world, to the region and to Israel, that the Arab world wants peace and justice; and that requires all parties adhere to international law.
On March 26, 2007, the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) “affirmed that the core problem in the Middle East is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which, if not solved, is a threat to peace not only in the Middle East but throughout the world.”
Diplomats, theologians and concerned global citizens comprehend; there can be no peace without justice.
Israel must withdraw from all territory it occupied in 1967 because acquiring territory through armed conflict, is illegal under international law.
International law demands that all people have a right to self-determination and that occupation is to be temporary, maintain the status quo and the occupiers are not to transfer their population onto occupied territory.
If any Jew, without historical connection is allowed to become an Israeli citizen, is it not just and wise to allow Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homeland or to at least receive compensation?
Israel has no constitution but has a Declaration of Independence which promised that Israel would abide by conditions and UN resolutions.
They have not fulfilled the agreement which was the basis of their independence and they demand changes be made to the Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for justice.
The LWF and concerned global citizens welcome the fact that a Palestinian government of national unity has been established, and stress's that the new government respects all previous agreements relevant to the search for peace in the region.
“We call on the international community to co-operate with the new Palestinian government and to end the international economic blockade in order to restore the health, education and welfare situation of the Palestinian people and the infrastructure of the Territories and that "the State of Israel comply with international humanitarian law and United Nations’ resolutions concerning the occupation of the Palestinian Territories.” http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/2025.EN.html
A few weeks ago, "Professor Mohammed Dajani 0f Al-Quds University held a meeting in Ramallah of the founders of a new moderate Islamic movement and party based on al-Wassatieh in Islam. Professor Dajani firmly believes that in the next three years by the time the next general elections will take place by the end of 2009, the new movement will be able to run in the elections and attract enough votes from Hamas and Fateh, to become the third largest bloc in the political life of the Palestinian people. Wassatieh is based on the Holy Koran and on moderation by taking the middle road. Many Islamic scholars in the Arab World and other Islamic countries advocate such course, to project the positive image of Islam globally." -Hanna Siniora, Co-CEO of IPCRI, the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information. www.ipcri.org
June 5, 2007 will mark 40 years since the June 1967 war and concerned global citizens in solidarity with the people of Israel and Palestine will march and demonstrate for an Israeli-Palestinian peace, based on the reality that only two-states for two peoples will equal one peace. http://www.june5thinitiative.org/
"The fierce urgency of now" [MLK, Jr.] united with the dream of peace in the Holy Land represents a window of opportunity for diplomats, theologians and global citizens to rise up in unity and require Israel sit down at the 'kitchen table' with Palestine as equals.
Only with support by the international community can there be a just resolve to the status of Jerusalem, the return of refugees, settlements, borders and water resources.
Security for Israel requires justice for Palestine and will lead to a more effective war on terror than violent retaliation ever can.
In solidarity with International law and U.N. Resolutions the way of justice, peace and security will birth a new Middle East.
