Israel, Stop Lethal Force Against Peaceful Protesters

UJPO National Board Statement – May 17, 2018

 

The #GreatReturnMarch, initiated in Gaza on March 30 by a Palestinian multi-

party collective, including civil rights groups and grassroots activists, called for an end to the siege of Gaza and the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees according

to international law. Its planned culmination was to be on May 15, the 70th anniversary commemoration of Nakba (Catastrophe) Day.

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The re-opening of the former US Jerusalem Embassy on May 14, 2018, represented

a clear provocation to threaten the #GreatReturnMarch. The US choice of date appears no coincidence.

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Of the initial thousands of peaceful Palestinian demonstrators, 60, including eight children, were killed on May 14, and more than 2,000 were injured. Canadian Doctor, Tarek Loubani, clearly identifiable by his medical attire, was shot in contravention

of international law, while tending to injured victims.

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Evidence has yet to be provided to show that any injured or deceased protestors

were armed or threatened the exceptionally well-equipped Israeli Defence

Force snipers who used live ammunition against the demonstrators and drones

for teargas dispersal.

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No demonstrators should be killed for participating in a peaceful protest. The US and Israeli politicians and generals do not speak in the name of all Jews to justify the carnage of peaceful people. This assault on Palestinians is hostile to the concept of social justice and principles of progressive Jews everywhere.

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The United Jewish Peoples’ Order calls on Israel to STOP using lethal force against peaceful gatherings or rallies once and for all!