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Richmond Jews Against the
Occupation (RJATO) Mission Statement Richmond Jews Against the Occupation has been established to give a voice and forum to local Jews who oppose the Israeli government’s human rights abuses and oppression of the Palestinian people. Inspired by the Jewish tradition of standing up for human rights and social justice we seek to build a diverse and democratic community of Jewish voices against the heinous crimes committed by the Israeli government in its occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. We feel it is our obligation and responsibility to stand up, in spite of criticism and opposition by other Jews, and say “No more killing in our Name.” We are part of a growing number of Jews who fully oppose the occupation. We believe that violence perpetuates violence and therefore demand that the Israeli Defense/Occupying Forces immediately withdraw to the pre-1967 borders. We believe this to be one of the first necessary steps towards a lasting and just peace in the Middle East. We believe the other vital step must be the swift and unhindered evacuation of the settlements which have expropriated 30% of the Palestinians’ land and siphoned their natural resources and are illegal under International Humanitarian Law. Article 49 of the Geneva Conventions, of which Israel is a signatory, states “The occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” We believe that the illegal settlements stimulate terrorism and create a threat of violence for Israel in the Middle East, and that by no means are they justifiable even under the auspices of “security.” We call for the removal of the Apartheid Wall, which has razed thousands of acres of orchards, olive groves, and farmland and separated Palestinians from their fields and divided families. This wall poses a serious economic threat to the livelihoods and survival of many Palestinian villages and is likely to impoverish many families. We believe in the right of self-determination and believe in the Palestinians right to a free, viable, and sovereign state. We believe in the Palestinians right to export and trade freely and to determine their own economic structure. We condemn the exploitation of the Palestinian labour force in Israel and the Israeli government’s oppression of all economic growth and reform in the West Bank and Gaza by Palestinians. We denounce and condemn all acts of violence and violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law on both sides of the crisis. We do not support or recognize any militant and/or extremist political groups, such as Hamas. We denounce and condemn all suicide bombings. We condemn the human rights abuses by the IDF, which include collective punishment, the shooting and killing of civilian men, women, and children and of International peace activists, the obstruction and impediment of medical assistance, and the unnecessary use of lethal force. We condemn the daily humiliation and abuse of Palestinians at Israeli military checkpoints. We condemn the systematic demolition of Palestinian homes, which has left more than 50,000 Palestinians homeless and traumatized. This practice which has been implemented by the Israeli government since 1967 is an attack on an entire people must stop immediately. We condemn the bombing and destruction of Palestinian towns and refugee camps by U.S.-supplied and financed Apache helicopter gun ship’s, F-16 fighter jets and Israeli tanks. As American Jews and taxpayers we therefore demand an end to the U.S. military aid provided to Israel, for it is used to maintain the occupation. Only after Israel has completely withdrawn from the occupied territories shall military aid resume. We also demand a reduction in economic aid to Israel by the amount spent on maintaining the settlements until all are dismantled. This aid should thus be re-directed toward reconstructing the devastated infrastructure of Palestine. We fully support the courageous Israeli refuseniks, reserve combat officers who refuse to serve in the occupied territories, for they represent the last threads of morality and dignity in the Israeli government. We believe that Israel should recognize the right to return of refugees displaced since 1948 or fully compensate them for their losses. We believe a shared and open Jerusalem with universal and unrestricted access to all holy sites needs to be incorporated in any peace agreement. We believe in the equality of men and women, regardless of race, ethnicity, national or religious background, and therefore, condemn racism of all forms, especially Anti-Semitic and Anti-Arab behavior, acts, language and attitudes. We believe that true peace can only begin with justice. If you would like to join us or have any questions you may contact us at jatorva2003@hotmail.com |
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