WASHINGTON, DC — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is extremely concerned about the escalation in violence and counter-violence in Palestine and Israel. Over the years, ADC has consistently condemned all attacks against civilian targets regardless of the identity of the perpetrators or the victims.
ADC President Ziad Asali stated that “This weekend’s attacks in Jerusalem and Haifa are morally unjustifiable and politically counter-productive, however, these attacks did not occur in vacuum.” Asali added that “prolonged Israeli occupation of Palestine and provocative measures taken by the Sharon government to suppress the intifada have directly contributed to this vicious cycle of violence.”
He explained that “Fourteen months of economic siege, collective punishment and death squad killings by Israel resulting in more than 850 Palestinian deaths, including 77 assassinations, and 20,000 injuries have produced an environment of hatred and violence. These tactics have clearly failed to provide greater security for Israelis or Palestinians.”
Asali concluded, “It is our firm belief that violence breeds violence. Therefore, we urge all concerned parties, including the Bush Administration, to direct all their diplomatic efforts to put an immediate end to the cycle of violence and impress upon the parties to return to the negotiating table to find a prompt and permanent end to Israeli occupation and the creation of a fully independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel in internationally recognized borders. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s recent declaration that ‘the occupation must end’ should be more clearly reflected in U.S. policy towards Israel and the Palestinians.”