An Appeal from the Residents of Qalqiliya To the Aqaba Summit, Palestinian
Authority, Abu Mazen and the International Community
from PENGON - Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network - www.pengon.org.
We sent this appeal to our brothers, the respectful people in charge in the
Palestinian National Authority.to our representatives in the Palestinian
Legislative Council.an appeal to all the free people of this world and
lovers of freedom, land and peace. We send this appeal from the district of
Qalqiliya, from all the villages and locations that are being razed by the
fatal Apartheid Wall which is set up above our lands and on our spirits and
our chests.
This is an appeal for help and an honor sent from the hearts of thousands of
children, women and elders whose trees are being uprooted, whose lands are
being razed, whose elders and children are being beaten daily. For over 8
months, nothing has hindered us-- except death-- from reaching our lands
because these lands are our paradise on this earth. The land is our past,
present and future. It is like a soul in the body since the time of Canaan
till the end of days.
Derived from this fact that is steadfastness rooted like the mountains and
solid like the firestones of Palestine. we send this thundering call to the
attendants of the summit being convened in Sharm Al Sheikh and Al 'Aqaba;
whether they are messengers of peace or leaders and decision makers, we tell
them in this congregation: There is no place for peace with this Apartheid
Wall, no peace with settlements and settlers who steel our land, and
threaten our future.
A just peace must eliminate the Wall and restore the right to its people in
an independent state whose capital is Jerusalem and its borders will be
along the pre-1967 'Green Line.' We emphasize on the Right of Return and
repatriation for the refugees and the immediate, the full release of the
political prisoners, as well as the complete recognition of and compliance
with all the rights and resolutions stipulated under international law and
the Charters of the United Nations.
We, the people of Qalqiliya, the Land Defense Committees and the Apartheid
Wall Campaign - PENGON, the Farmers Union and popular and local
organizations in Qalqiliya present this appeal and emphasize on the
following:
First: We appeal President Yaser Arafat to never give up the rights of the
Palestinian citizens and to refuse any modifications on the West Bank map,
whether it is 'negotiated' or imposed by Israel on the ground through
erecting the Apartheid Wall.
Second: We demand the Government of Abu Mazen not to relinquish one inch of
the lands which were razed or isolated by the Apartheid Wall. Stopping the
Wall immediately should be a precondition to any negotiation. We support
and advocate to our Palestinian Government in realizing our absolute rights.
Third: We refuse any peace accompanied with the Apartheid Wall or any of its
forms.
Fourth: We salute and applaud all the communities which defy the erecting of
the Apartheid Wall and its expansion from Hebron till Jenin.
Fifth: We appeal the Palestinian Authority to provide support and aid, as
well as facilitate all organizations to make an effort and provide
assistance to the thousands of families who have lost their main income and
source of livelihood due to the building of the Wall. We refuse the fate of
more than 22 residential communities in the district of Qalqiliya to become
kernels for new camps.
Issued by:
* Lands Defense Committees in the District of Qalqiliya.
* The Apartheid Wall Campaign PENGON
* The Palestinian Farmers Union.
* The Farmers Union.
* The Local and Popular Organizations in the District of Qalqiliya.
For further details or interviews contact PENGON by e-mail:
outreach@pengon.org or telephone: +972-52-285610.
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