From: Ismail Zayid
To: Mr. Bill Graham
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 3:23 PM
Subject: Where does Canada stand?

Canada Palestine Association
P.O.Box, 1085
Halifax, NS. B3J 2X1
 
May 1,2002
 
The Hon. Mr. Bill Graham MP,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
 
Dear Mr. Graham:
 
Israeli defiance of Security Council resolutions and rejection of the UN fact-finding commission, to look into Israeli wanton attacks in Jenin and many cities and towns in the occupied territories, makes a mockery of  UN credibility. The crimes, that the UN  commission proposed to examine, include reports, by UN special envoy, Amnesty International, International Committe of Red Cross [ICRC] and many neutral observers, of indiscriminate murder, destruction, denial of access to medical care and deprivation of all basic elements of survival, in violation of all articles of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Such violations constitute war crimes. These crimes must not be allowed to be covered up, giving a licence for Sharon to continue his murder and destruction in the occupied territories.
 
The Israeli rejection of the UN fact -finding commission is clearly condoned by the US. This contrasts with the US and UK reported threats of war against Iraq for a similar act for denying the admission of UN inspection team, based on a similar Security Council resolution. Accordingly, are we to understand that the US, and its allies, propose now to wage war or even economic sanctions against Israel, for its rejection of the UN commission? Alas, this recent Security Council resolution is only one amongst scores of UN and Security Council resolutions that Israel has continued to defy for decades. How long must Israel be allowed to remain above international law and this practice of double standards continue?
 
We call on our government, as one of the High Contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to condemn this violation of international law and act to bring an end to the crimes against humanity that are being committed by Israel in the illegally occupied territories. The complete termination of this illegal occupation is the only way to bring peace to the Middle East and security for Palestinians and Israelis.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Ismail Zayid,M.D.
President, Canada Palestine Association.