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Coalition for Peace with Justice
Letter to Raleigh News & Observer [to CPWJ Letters page] [ to CPWJ home page] 09/03/02Deporting relatives of Palestinian terror suspects I am writing in response to the recent article (3 Sept) describing the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court to allow the deportation of relatives of Palestinian terror suspects. Such a decision directly violates both Articles 33 and 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Article 33 prohibits punishment of persons who did not personally commit a crime as well as prohibiting any form of collective punishment. Article 49 prohibits, among other things, the deportation of protected persons from occupied territory. Unlawful deportation constitues according to Article 147 a "grave breach" of the Convention; such deportation is, in other words, a war crime under the Fourth Geneva Convention. I have written previously both Representative Price and Senator Edwards regarding my concern about US Mideast policy which essentially endorses Israel's continuing violations of international law. Their response letters, especially Senator Edwards' letter, were unsatisfactory and conveyed little if any understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With elected representatives such as these and an Executive branch which prizes arrogant unilateralism above cooperation and diplomacy, it is no wonder that the US shows such a lack of credible leadership as a peace maker in the Mideast. The United States could do much to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by formulating a fair and principled policy toward Israel and the Palestinians which respects and is consistent with applicable international law. Otherwise, we encourage, by our own example, a slide toward lawlessness and barbarism on the stage of international politics. Sincerely, Paul Boyle Chapel Hill [to CPWJ Letters page] [ to CPWJ home page] |
