08-01-2009
Israelis in the Netherlands:
We call upon Dutch politicians to raise their voices against the military attacks on Gaza

We, a group of Israelis living in the Netherlands, call on you to publicly disapprove of the brutal military operation claiming the life of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We urge you to intervene in this conflict by sending a message to the Israeli government, which denounces the attacks on Gaza, and insists on an immediate ceasefire.

We are following the reports from Gaza with anger, shame and frustration at the inability of the international community to stop the violence. Since the beginning of this operation approximately 700 people, among them more than 200 children were killed. 700.000 Palestinians are living without water and nearly a million without electricity. Israel blocks the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid, which has resulted in starvation, and a lack of proper medical assistance. We cannot find any justification for such war crimes against civilians.

Israel has a right and duty to defend its citizens. The rockets fired from the Gaza strip are an unacceptable act of violence against civilians in Israel. These must be brought to an end through a real and viable long-term political solution. A massive military operation does not advance such a solution. On the contrary: since the beginning of this operation rockets have been launched on a daily basis, killing 4 civilians and wracking damage as never experienced before. Rockets have now reached populations centres previously never fired on, mere thirty kilometres from Tel Aviv. Violence against violence only brings more violence.

These are very tragic times for us as Israelis. We are dismayed that Israeli politicians abuse the feeling of insecurity of its citizens in order to pursue their own political goals in light of the upcoming elections. With the violent path it has chosen, the Israeli government actively destroys the chances that Israelis and Palestinians could live side by side in peace. Every day of violence makes a just solution to the conflict impossible to imagine.

Out of deep concern for the future of both people we call upon the Dutch government and the chamber of parliament to raise its voice for an immediate ceasefire and a viable truce in order to end this pointless bloodshed.

Signatures:

Abraham Vega, citizen
Adi Hollander, architect
Anat Segal, art student Gerrit Rietveld Academy
Ariel Zachor, artist
Barak Kalir, assistance professor, University of Amsterdam
Benny Brunner, cineaste
Boaz Bar-adon, designer
Channa Zakai, student Utrecht University
Dana Bar Magen, lawyer
Daphne Stibbe, consultant
Dorit Ravid, dancer - therapist
Erella Grassiani, PhD candidate VU University, board member gate48
Gabriel Wolff, musician
Galit Saporta, chairwoman gate48
Galitta Tassa-Vermey,  artist
Hilla Dayan, lobby coordinator United Civilians for Peace
Ilya Rabinovich, artist
Irina Birger, visual artist
Irit Rosen, designer
Jair Straschnov, designer
Malkit Shoshan, director F.A.S.T
Maya Arad, dramaturge
Meira Asher, artist – activist
Micha de Haas, architect
Noa Roei, Phd candidate, University of Amsterdam
Orna Pelleg, teacher
Ram Katzir, visual artist
Ron Cohen, activist - veteran
Rotem Stern, art student Gerrit Rietveld Academy
Shifra Kisch, PhD candidate University of Amsterdam
Shoshana Gabay, journalist
Tamar Rubinstein, Amsterdam
Tahl Kaminer, architect
Urit Luden, burger
Yael Davids
Yael Seggev, artist
Yael Singer, peace activist
Yehudit Mizrahi, artist
Yoad Winter, academic lecturer, Utrecht University, Technion Haifa

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