Issue:

Israel's helicopter gunship attack on July 31 on a seven-story apartment building in Nablus killed eight people. Among the dead were those targeted by Israel for assassination along with two children waiting on the sidewalk for their parents who were in the physical therapy clinic located just below the Hamas office. The attack aroused furious reactions in Nablus, already boiling under pressure of a heavy siege, and brought calls for revenge, greatly increasing the danger of suicide attacks in Israeli population centers. The State Department strongly condemned Israeli tactics as it has repeatedly condemned Israeli assassinations. The escalating violence makes it imperative that an international observer force be deployed as a buffer between Palestinians and Israelis.

Action:

Call the White House comments line. Express approval of the State's Department's condemnation of Israel's helicopter gunship attack on Nablus. Noting the escalation of violence, ask that the President support sending an international observer force. Call Members of Congress, urging them to support an international observer force as necessary for a lasting cease-fire and renewed peace talks. "The time is now for an international presence to get between these two peoples, to increase the sense of security for both, allowing an atmosphere to develop in which negotiations can begin again."

When:

Call the White House (202/456-1111) as soon as possible. Call the home office of your members of Congress during their August break. You can find the phone number from a local phone book or by calling their Washington office through the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121.

Background:

Since the beginning, in September 2000, of what is known as the Al Aqsa Intifadeh the pattern of violence has been the disproportionate use of force by Israel's military in response to acts of violence, including horrific bombings of Israeli civilians, by Palestinian militants. Despite calls for a cease fire and the implementation of the Mitchell committee report, and Israeli and Palestinian agreement to do so, violence is spiraling.

Bernard Sabella of the Middle East Council of Churches wrote from Jerusalem that, "In the afternoon and evening (of July 31), shelling and exchange of gunfire took place all over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Ramallah as well as Beit Jala. Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Hebron witnessed heavy gunfire to the shock and fear of the citizens. The Gaza Strip witnessed gunfire and shelling throughout the day. We are in virtual war.... The current policy adopted by the U.S. administration is no policy at all and is inviting disaster, not only to our people but to the whole Middle East."

Rev. Sandra Olewine, United Methodist liaison in Jerusalem, wrote from Jerusalem that, "The time is now for an international presence to get between these two peoples, to increase the sense of security for both, allowing an atmosphere to develop in which negotiations can begin again." Noting that the Palestinians have been pleading for such a force, she reports that the Israeli Peace Bloc has now joined the call, "We find ourselves obliged to call upon the international community to intervene, before it is too late."

The Bush Administration cast its first veto in the Security Council, on March 27, to block a resolution that demanded a protection or observer force. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has described such a force, which Israel has repeatedly rejected, as unworkable without the consent of both parties.

The five-man fact-finding committee, led by former Senator George Mitchell, lays out a plan for cessation of violence and confidence building measures, including a total freeze of Israeli settlement activity, leading toward negotiations. Mitchell, in a May 13 Washington Post article, says that "the Palestinians had reservations about elements of the report, including the decision to not recommend the deployment of an international observer force." While the committee was not opposed to an international protection force, it felt that such a force would require the support of both parties.

The leaders of the Group of Eight industrial powers, including President Bush, meeting in Rome, urged, on July 21, that both sides accept "third-party monitoring." The French foreign minister said the concept of an international observer force is gaining ground, "We can't leave the Israelis and Palestinians alone, face to face, in this atmosphere of growing hate and panicky fear." Israel's Defense Minister's response was that it might accept monitors providing they were all Americans, but he was quickly overruled by others in the government.

A few days later, State Department officials proposed a U.S. monitoring team of about 10 monitors that would report on compliance with the Mitchell report. They would not be posted at flash points, and rather would visit the scenes of clashes and attacks. This proposal, which the White House has not endorsed, fails to meet the fundamental needs of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

It is critical the President and members of Congress hear from you that the U.S. should support the deployment of an international observer force. Do not be silent while Palestinian civilians are being terrorized and killed by weapons and ammunition provided to Israel by the United States.

General Assembly Guidance:

This action is consistent with the 200th General Assembly (1988) policy statement, "Israel and the Palestinians" which calls upon the U.S. government to "insist that weapons supplied by the U.S. for Israel's defense not be used against civilian populations in the occupied territories or in aggressive attacks or disproportionate retaliation ...."

The 213th General Assembly (2001) "Calls on both the Israelis and the Palestinians to recognize that the continuing escalation of violence cannot lead to peace, and that self-restraint and a willingness to make fair and reasonable mutual compromises constitute the necessary first steps toward any acceptable negotiated settlement."