Edmonton, AB, (December 8, 2000) – Canadians for Equality and Peace for Palestinians (CEPPal), is making an urgent call for international protection for the Palestinian people following the announcement by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS – www.palestinercs.org ) that over 10,000 Palestinians living under Israeli occupation have been injured and over 275 have been killed by the Israeli Army since the most recent crisis in the area began on September 29, 2000.  Every day since the Uprising began, Palestinian civilians protesting the 33-year illegal occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza have been the target of Israeli soldiers’ and settlers’ guns.  Over 35% of the Palestinians killed are children under the age of 17.  During recent weeks, Israel has escalated from using exceptionally extreme measures against Palestinian demonstrators - including indiscriminate gunfire, tanks, rockets and helicopter gunships - to bombing Palestinian cities, including Ramallah, Hebron and Gaza.   This is tantamount to outright war against the Palestinian people.  Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza have been under siege for weeks and some are at the point of running out of basic food supplies and water.  CEPPal finds the lack of media attention surrounding this atrocity and the lack of action by the international community towards improving the plight of the Palestinian people inexcusable.

Canadians for Equality and Peace for Palestinians calls upon the Canadian Government to use its influence and reputation as a peacekeeping nation to urge the international community to extend the necessary protection for the defenceless Palestinian population.  The number of dead has reached 275 and the number of injured has reached over 10,000 in 70 days.  There can be no further doubt that Palestinian civilians are the target and not the cause of the violence.  There can be no further doubt about the urgent need for an international force to protect the Palestinian people from these continuous attacks by Israel’s occupation troops.  The international community has an obligation to intervene when a civilian population, including children, living under an internationally recognized military occupation are being gunned down in the streets.  Israel must not be allowed to kill another Palestinian, and must be prevented from assaulting and bombing Palestinian cities. The Israeli occupation continues to be the cause of terrible conflict as Palestinians struggle for their human and national rights.  The occupation is based on extreme violence and must be swiftly brought to an end.

Canadians for Equality and Peace for Palestinians (CEPPal) is a grass-roots organization that demands equality among Palestinians and Israelis.  This equality is seen a prerequisite for the building of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East premised on internationally recognized resolutions.  CEPPal promotes the intellectual and material advancement of Palestinians.  This includes promoting improvements in the quality of life and standard of living for all Palestinians.  CEPPal encourages Palestinian self-empowerment and self-emancipation.  This includes supporting all non-violent attempts by Palestinians to end their oppression, dispossession and marginalization as well as all local and government initiatives that serve the same end.  CEPPal endeavours to never adopt a patronizing attitude toward Palestinians and recognizes that implicit in all of our statements and/or actions is the firm belief that Palestinian empowerment should be enjoyed equally regardless of location, religious affiliation, gender or class standing.
 
Canadians for Equality and Peace for Palestinians can be reached by Email at CEPPal@canada.com