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Wed 19 Mar, 2003 02:12 am
representatives of eighteen European grassroots Jewish peace groups gathered in Amsterdam to found a new pan-European organization of Jews who oppose the Israeli occupation and seek a just peace in the Middle East.
Attending the conference were delegates from groups in Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, some of which were formed during this second intifada, while others have been active for more than 20 years. The newly formed organization, called European Jews for a Just Peace, plans to reach out to, and to speak to the greater public in the name of, the large numbers of European Jews who are dissatisfied with Israeli policies towards the Palestinians. In particular, it hopes to demonstrate the diversity of opinion within the European Jewish community, which has lately seen anti-Semitic attacks launched not only by non-Jews, but also by "mainstream" Jews against other Jews who have criticized Israeli policies.
The group soon hopes to lobby the European Union, which is Israel's biggest trading partner, to enforce agreements that require Israel to abide by human rights conventions. EU action has thus far been blocked, predominantly by Germany (from where there were also unfortunately no delegates to the conference). Because of the legacy of the Holocaust, Germans are reluctant to criticize Israel, much like an abusive father who has seen the error of his ways but is so overwrought by guilt that he does not intervene to stop abuse committed by his son. One hopes that Germans (and all people) will come to understand that their guilt for the Holocaust not only does not permit them to remain silent in the face of human rights abuses by Israel or any other country, but makes it imperative for them to speak out.
The new European group's initial statement is below, as well as information on how to join, to help plan coordinated activities, and to learn about the next conference, set for February 2003 in Brussels.