Pax Christi International Press Release: Stop military invasion

["Nello Margiotta" <animarg@tin.it>]

Tuesday, April 02 2002 @ 04:47 PM GMT

BRUSSLES: Pax Christi, the International Peace Movement, calls for the
immediate stop of the military invasion in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories by the Israeli army. According to sources from Bethlehem and
Jerusalem, religious sites have been attacked and a priest has been killed.
According to the Fourth Geneva Conventions, places of worship such as
synagogues, mosques and churches should never be assaulted.

Suicide bombings by Palestinians have to stop as well. Innocent people may
not become victims. The occupation of Israel of the West Bank and Gaza has
to come to an end. The Palestinian Authorities should be able to govern
their people and land.

Pax Christi International is urging the international community to deploy as
soon as possible an international presence, either in the form of
international peacekeeping mission or monitors. We are convinced that an
effective international presence in the region with the power to monitor the
situation and to reduce the use of violence can achieve a cease-fire or a
cessation of violence.

The Arab Educational Institute in Bethlehem (AEI) is an Affiliated
Organization to Pax Christi International. On 1 April, the AEI made an
appeal to all people to raise their voice and urge governments to put
pressure on PM Ariel Sharon to withdraw the Israeli Forces from the
Palestinian occupied territories, and to lift the siege on the Palestinian
people and its President. They also demand the immediate intervention of the
United Nations by "sending International peacekeeping forces to implement
the relevant United Nations resolutions, to impose a ceasefire and to
reverse the present catastrophic developments."

Today, HB Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and President of Pax
Christi International, led a non-violent peace march from Jaffa Gate to PM
Sharon's offices in Rahavia's Street. Other Patriarchs and Heads of Churches
of Jerusalem, as well as many religious congregations and ordinary people,
have supported the Patriarch. Msgr. Michel Sabbah is offering to begin a
mediation for peace and security for all the peoples in the Holy Land.

Vieux Marché aux Grains 21 / 1000 Bruxelles / Belgium Tel : ++32.2.502.55.50
/ Fax : ++32.2.502.46.26 / hello@paxchristi.net/ www.paxchristi.net,
Reference: ME33E02, Brussels, 2 April 2002



Nello

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