For Immediate Release 14th August 2006
Peace Now UK urges all parties to abide by the UN-brokered cease-fire resolution aimed at ending the fighting in Lebanon, including for international troops to be stationed in southern Lebanon as quickly as possible to help prevent a renewed outbreak of fighting.
Peace Now UK supports the Shalom Achshav - Peace Now Israel demonstration outside the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv on 10th August against the widening of the scope and scale of the war in Lebanon. We welcome the sentiments expressed by Shalom Achshav's General Secretary Yariv Oppenheimer urging that the Government of Israel pursue all available political resolutions to this war and welcome also the endorsement of this stance by Americans for Peace Now.
Ultimately a lasting solution to the current crisis can only be found through diplomatic means, and we therefore urge the Government of Israel to enter into negotiations with the Lebanese authorities as soon as possible. As Syria’s attitude is also critical to the success of such negotiations, we would also encourage the Israeli Government to seek discussions with the Syrian Government.
On a separate note, Peace Now UK wishes to extend its heartfelt condolences to Israeli author David Grossman and his family on the tragic news of the loss of his son, Uri, in this war. David Grossman has long been in the forefront of those calling for peace negotiations between Israel and its neighbors, in particular the Palestinians.
For Immediate Release 28th June 2006
With reference to the current kidnap cases, our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of both kidnap victims and we call upon their kidnappers to release them immediately and unharmed.
We echo Defence Minister Peretz’s insistence on restraint in Israel’s current actions in Gaza especially with its potential for innocent civilian casualties.
February 2006 Jordan Valley Closure
Peace Now-UK calls on the Government of Israel to rescind its deplorable decision to bar most Palestinians from entering the Jordan Valley on the supposed grounds of security. It is difficult to believe that this move is based solely or even primarily on security considerations or else why was it not implemented long ago, and not now when the level of violence is significantly lower than in the period of the second Intifada?By creating additional hardships for ordinary Palestinians and making the emergence of a viable Palestinian State increasingly more difficult, it creates additional grievances to be exploited by Palestinian extremists. Instead of creating yet new obstacles to the peace process, we call on the Government of Israel to seek to build as many bridges as possible with moderate Palestinians at this time in order to weaken and isolate the extremists.
January 2006 - Hamas Election Victory
Hamas’ election victory and recent events in Israel have dramatically changed the Israeli/Palestinian political landscape. It will take time for the full implications of these events to become clearer. But new opportunities for progress towards a peace settlement between the two peoples may now emerge. In the past such opportunities were lost because one or other of the parties, or both, were unable to take advantage of new dynamics, sticking to old mantras - ‘security’ on one side and ‘only by blood will the occupation be ended’ on the other. We urge all concerned to make every effort possible to take the difficult steps needed to achieve a peace agreement.
What does this mean? It requires Hamas to renounce violence as a means for resolving the dispute and to recognise Israel’s right to exist. We welcome the statement at Davos today by the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, using the Beirut Conference formula through which Hamas could recognise Israel. Israel must be ready to enter into negotiations with a Hamas-lead government, once this renunciation occurs, and to take confidence-building steps to create a climate conducive to peace negotiations. This must include a freeze on any further settlement building and the removal of all illegal settlement outposts.
Peace Now-UK would welcome and support steps by the Israeli and Palestinian Governments that lead to an end to violence and bloodshed and which open the way to a renewal of negotiations to end the conflict.