On Israel's violation of the Geneva Convention
Palestine-Israel, Editorial, 7/4/2006

With the latest attacks by Israel against Palestinian lands in Gaza, and property, Israel has once again broke the Geneva Convention, as it has done in the past, according to the most respected international human rights organizations, that includes Amnesty International and the Red Cross among others.

Israel has done so with impunity. Had any other country done so, let us say the United States, then internal US public pressure and laws would have dealt with this, and prevented it. Or had this been done any other developing or advanced country, there would have all kinds of public outcry, I would guess, against such acts.

But, when it comes to Israel, the rules seems different. This is, I believe, because Israel, using and abusing the holocaust, and other means, has corrupted the moral fiber of the United States public and other publics that would readily disapprove of such behavior, and would speak out against occupation, killings of innocents, and destruction of their property, water and electricity for sheer vengefulness, harm, and demonstration of power.

In the face of such behavior, the US, the EU among many others stand still in fear of strong and clear condemnation of Israel. The best they do is issue double sided statements, where they call on both sides for "restraint" and treat both sides equally, and express understanding for the Israeli reactions.

In light of this, the US and EU call should have said to the Nazis upon the Nazi invasion of France, Poland and Russia, and bombing of London during World War II, and the death of some 20 million Russians, Gipsies and Jews: "We call on both sides for restraint, the occupier and the occupied, and we hold you both morally equal and responsible in your actions and reactions."

If the most respected human rights organizations in the world say Israel is in violation of international humanitarian law, and the world stands in silence, then what use are human rights organizations for, international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention, and Internatinal Criminal Court.

By,
Jamil Kazoun

Previous Stories:
  Israeli attacks 'war crimes', says Amnesty International   (7/4/2006)
  Israel acts violate Geneva Convention; international silence   (6/29/2006)
  Harvard report: Israeli lobby harms United States interests   (3/17/2006)
  After the US veto, Palestinians to bring the Israeli acts to the fourth Geneva convention   (10/6/2004)
  Annan: Israel's separation wall a clear breach Fourth Geneva Convention   (10/3/2003)
  Red Cross President urges Israel to abide by 4th Geneva Convention   (10/12/2002)
  International Red Cross: Geneva Conventions breached by Israeli transfer of Palestinians   (5/24/2002)
  Amnesty International: reprisals against persons and property are prohibited by 4th Geneva Convention   (5/11/2002)
  Guardian report: Israel breached the Geneva conventions   (4/24/2002)
  Geneva Conventions provisions violated in Palestine   (4/9/2002)

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