so many so called pundits are predicting that after arafat's death, if that bad plo doeesn't replace arafat with another bad guy, there will be a lovely harmonic peace between iasrael and palestinians. what this fails to take into account is that israeli policy is imperialist and colonialist . take for example the info in this letter that's making the rounds:

A list of phone numbers is at the end of this letter. Please act now to stop the destruction of farmlands in the Palestinian village of Jayyous. These orchards, fields and greenhouses are well within the Palestinian territories, far from the Israeli border. They have been cut off by the separation wall, but farmers have been allowed limited access through a gate operated by Israeli soldiers. Within the past few days, bulldozers have arrived and are destroying these farmlands to build a new Israeli settlement. 95% of the families depend on these lands for their only income, and village water supplies are located there, so in very real terms, Israel is killing an entire village. There are things you can do to change this.

Every phone call makes a difference to members of Congress. You will receive a receptionist who will record your call, and the numbers of people expressing concern will be reported to the senator or congressman. I have been telling these offices that there are many Rhode Islanders concerned with this village, and that some of us have been and stayed in the homes of families there. Now it is up to you ...please...to provide substance to this claim. Your phone calls are urgently needed NOW! Lives are depending on it.

When calling our leaders and those in Israel, here is what you might say:

1. Bulldozers have appeared this week in the fields and orchards of Jayyous, a small farming community in the northern West Bank, and are destroying the village's farmland to build a new settlement. This is the only source of income for most people in the village, and the location of their primary water wells.

2. Building settlements on stolen land is illegal, violating the Geneva Conventions and universal laws regarding the theft of private property.

3. It is in violation of commitments Israel has made to the United States about the wall not annexing territory.

4. This demonstrates that much of the Separation Wall is designed for land confiscation, rather than security. (A map of the most fertile lands and water sources, compared with the route of the wall, also confirms this. The new settlement will place Israelis in immediate proximity to villagers whose land has been taken, proving that this "buffer zone" is an empty argument for the wall's location.)

5. The action in Jayyous, and the route of the wall which traps thousands of Palestinians between Israel and the wall, are clear and present examples of ethnic cleansing.

6. Israel's settlement activity on Palestinian land is continuing at a rapid pace. This endangers the peace process and the lives of people in Israel. When Palestinians feel the international community will not protect them from activities that are destroying whole villages, a violent response may seem for some the only option.

The people of Jayyous have done everything possible in terms of non-violent action as the wall cut through their land. They have testified at the Hague, started websites, published reports, invited people from all over the world to their village to see the wall's impact, and linked arms with Jewish peace activists from Israel to march against the taking of their land. Israeli soldiers responded by opening fire on the marchers, severely wounding several, including two Israelis. We must respond to this non-violent cry for justice now, before these hard working self sufficient people are reduced to refugees with no means of supporting themselves and their families.

Please call each member of your congressional delegation -- they can all be reached in Washington at (202) 224-3121, as well as the State Department Near East Desk (202) 647-2647, White House (202) 456-1111, and the American Consulate in Israel (011-972-3-519-7575) before 9:30 am est. Ask to speak to Chris Stevens or Neil Hopp, who have promised to investigate this. Senator Chafee is in Israel right now, and will be meeting with Arial Sharon. Please ask his office to be sure he mentions what is happening in Jayyous.

Your actions can help save lives, but time is critical. Thank you!

Susanne Hoder


not everyone has bought into the idea that israel can do no wrong. i'm not going to make the case here, there's plenty of good solid info out there about the atrocities israel has been up to. take for instance, the alderpeople of the town of sommerville, massachusetts:

Note: Co-sponsored by 8 out of 11 Aldermen, this resolution is now before the Board of Alderman, who will vote on it on December 9th, 2004. The Board will be accepting comments until December 1st.

Whereas, Israel is currently militarily occupying land seized in the Six Day War of 1967, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 242; and

Whereas, during this occupation, Israel has, and continues to, violate the Fourth Geneva Convention on Rules of War of 1949, of which it is a signatory, by engaging in acts against Palestinians including

* Blocking humanitarian aid
* Engaging in collective punishment such as demolishing homes, destroying olive groves and curfews
* Using excessive force on demonstrators
* Acquiring land illegally across the Green Line
* Repopulating land in the occupied territories (settlements)
* Using Palestinian homes as army military stations
* Blocking ambulances
* Detaining individuals without charge
* Use of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and


Whereas, the City of Somerville abhors and unequivocally opposes all attacks, by either Israelis or Palestinians, where civilian casualties are likely, whether the attacks are aggressive or retaliatory; and

Whereas, the Board of Alderman of the City of Somerville, in order to remain consistent with its commitment to human rights, is against contributing to and profiting from the above violations of human rights by investment in companies that sell equipment used directly in these violations, and by investment in Israeli Bonds, which are part of the funds from which Israel finances these violations;

Therefore be it resolved that:

1. The Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville urges all investors in the city to divest from companies involved with Israel's human rights violations and from Israel Bonds.

2. The Board of Alderman of the City of Somerville specifically recommends the divestment of funds currently invested in the following:

a. Israel Bonds, which help fund Israel's violations of human rights,
b. Caterpillar Inc., which profits from bulldozers that are used by Israel to illegally demolish homes
c. United Technologies, which makes the Blackhawk helicopter that is used for illegal attacks involving civilian populations

d. General Electric, which produces parts used in Apache helicopters that are used in illegal attacks involving civilian populations,

e. Boeing, which sells AH64 Apache helicopters used in illegal attacks involving civilians,

f. General Dynamics Corporation, which produces weaponry used on F16 fighter jets used in illegal Israeli attacks in civilian areas,

g. Northrop Grumman Corporation, which produces high energy lasers used by Israel in its military occupation
h. Lockheed Martin, which produces missile systems used by Israel

and all companies that manufacture military equipment used in Israel's illegal military occupation.