Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Irish civil society calls for boycott of Israel


Open letter, various undersigned, 3 February 2009

The following letter was published in a full-page advertisement in The Irish Times on 31 January 2009. The original ad, including signatures may be downloaded here. [PDF]

"Israel's bombardment of Gaza killed over 1,300 Palestinians, a third of them children. Thousands have been wounded. Many victims had been taking refuge in clearly marked UN facilities.

This assault came in the wake of years of economic blockade by Israel. This blockade, which is illegal under international humanitarian law, has destroyed the Gaza economy and condemned its population to poverty. According to a World Bank report last September, "98 percent of Gaza's industrial operations are now inactive."

The most recent attack on Gaza is only the latest phase in Israel's oppression of the Palestinian people and appropriation of their land.....

We, the signatories, call for the following:

* The Irish Government to cease its purchase of Israeli military products and services and call publicly for an arms embargo against Israel.

* The Irish Government to demand publicly that Israel reverse its settlement construction, illegal occupation and annexation of land in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and to use its influence in international fora to bring this about.

* The Irish Government to demand publicly that the Euro-Med Agreement under which Israel has privileged access to the EU market be suspended until Israel complies with international law.

* The Irish Government to veto any proposed upgrade in EU relations with Israel.

* The Irish people to boycott all Israeli goods and services until Israel abides by international law."

No comments: