American-Arab calls for halt to Israeli military rampage
Lebanon-Israel-USA, Politics, 7/14/2006

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) expressed extreme concern over the increasing destruction, suffering, deaths, and injuries in both Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip.

ADC urgently called, in a press release, on the international community and the US Administration to intervene to stop the escalating political and humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and Palestine, and to stop the Israeli government from its inhumane use of disproportionate military force.

It said Israel's military offensive in Lebanon comes while Israel continues a separate siege in the Gaza Strip. Three weeks of Israeli air strikes and attacks have killed more than 60 Palestinians and plunged Gaza's 1.4 million residents into further deplorable living conditions, and stripped them of access to electricity and water. Just yesterday, 24 Palestinians were killed, including a family of nine.

ADC noted that Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states, "No protected person may be punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited. Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited." Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions collective punishments are a war crime.

Yesterday, the USA vetoed yesterday a draft resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an end to Israeli attacks and "disproportionate use of force" in the Gaza Strip. Switzerland as recently as days ago said Israel's attacks on civilians are a violation of international humanitarian law, which means a violation of the Geneva Convention. The UN civil rights committee has voted to start an investigation into Israel's actions.

Previous Stories:
  Iran condemns Israeli attack on Lebanon   (7/13/2006)
  Israel kills 28 Lebanese civilians; bombs civilian airport   (7/13/2006)
  7 Israeli soldiers killed, 2 kidnapped, by Hizbullah; Israel retaliate against civilians   (7/12/2006)
  Lebanese intelligence arrests Israeli spy network   (6/15/2006)
  Harvard report: Israeli lobby harms United States interests   (3/17/2006)

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