NGOs unanimously condemn Zionism as synonymous to racism

The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) participating in the UN World Conference against Racism (WCAR) unanimously condemned Zionism as synonymous to Racism.

The NGOs declaration and plan of action concluded that "Israel is a racist apartheid state" similar to that of the former South African regime.

They demanded imposition of strong punishments on Israel like those which were imposed on the former South African regime, until it complied with the UN resolutions and pull out from Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem and allow the return of refugees.

The NGOs declaration urged formation of a special tribunal to try Israeli criminals of war.

An absolute majority voted in favour of the resolution against one vote, namely that of the Jewish organizations which walked out of the session under thunderous shouts of "freedom for Palestine" from the other organizations.

The NGOs called for an international movement against the Israeli apartheid via international network of civil societies, UN organisations and bodies and businessmen associations to break the cycle of silence by world states, the EU and the US in particular.

The NGOs declaration called for immediate implementation of human rights relevant laws and the Geneva convention of 1949 regarding the occupied Palestinian territories.

The declaration called for an emergency meeting by signatories to the Geneva convention to implement these procedures.

It also called for immediate deployment of international independent forces to protect Palestinian civilians, dismantle illegitimate Israeli settlements and enforce a full withdrawal of the occupation forces.

The NGOs called for implementing several resolutions on the Palestinian territories, including withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, the west Bank and Jerusalem and granting refugees the right to return home.