The European Union through its parliament, commission, and council received a signed petition letter from 700 Israelis asking to pressure their country to accept Hamas terms, since they[the 700 Israelis] are fed up with war.
Here is the letter sent to the European Union:
“We, the undersigned citizens of Israel, call on the European Council, Commission and Parliament to pressure Israel to accept the terms of truce presented by Hamas (as they were published in Israeli and international media outlets).
The terms echo previous recommendations made by the UN and the European Union and major human rights organisations, most notably in the Goldstone Report. The refusal of the Israeli government to address these terms results in sacrifice of civilian lives for the sake of ongoing occupation, and thwarting the long-awaited Palestinian national unity agreement.
Israel’s reluctance to seriously address all political and diplomatic proposals made by Palestinian leadership, regional and international mediators, is costly in lives. It also gives rise to worrying tendencies within the Israeli public, swayed by governmental rhetoric of “no partner”. This can no longer be acquiesced.
These are the conditions of Hamas (according to media reporting). We fully endorse these conditions as first steps toward a just solution in Israel/Palestine.
- Withdrawal of Israeli tanks from the Gaza border;
- Freeing all the prisoners that were arrested after the killing of the three youths;
- Lifting the siege and opening the border crossings to commerce and people;
- Establishing an international seaport and airport, which would be under U.N.supervision;
- Increasing the permitted fishing zone to 10 kilometres;
- Internationalizing the Rafah Crossing and placing it under the supervision of the U.N. and some Arab nations;
- International forces on the borders;
- Easing conditions for permits to pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque;
- Prohibition on Israeli interference in the reconciliation agreement;
- Re-establishing an industrial zone and improvements in further economic development in the Gaza Strip.
We are all appalled by the death and destruction in Gaza. Yet, this is not simply a tragedy; this is a policy. It can and it must be changed. It is in the power of political leaders and peaceful nations. We urge you to act immediately so that Israel ceases all violence against the people of Gaza, ends the siege and takes action towards a just peace.”
The Moroccan Times.
