ISNA condemns Israel’s excessive and disproportionate use of force in Lebanon

ISNA

Posted Jul 17, 2006      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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The Islamic Society of North America condemns Israel’s excessive and disproportionate use of force against the people of Lebanon


Plainfield, IN - 7/16/06- The Islamic Society of North America is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in the Middle East, and urges the US administration to act as a neutral broker in the conflict. The United States cannot continue to extend unconditional support for Israel, especially when they are committing illegal and immoral violent acts of collective punishment upon the people of Gaza and the sovereign nation of Lebanon. The American nation needs to take the lead in upholding international law in times of conflict. In the context of international terrorism, the United States has been especially concerned to convince nations and groups that targeting civilians to acheive political or strategic goals is a violation of morality and law. The United States must consider its own security to be paramount, and expressed support for Israeli attacks on civilian targets in this conflict destroys American credibility in the defense against terrorism.

We call upon President Bush to denounce Israel’s excessive and disproportionate use of force against the people of Lebanon that has left scores of civilians dead or wounded, and has targeted the most vital infrastructure, including the airport, roads, ports, and bridges, rendering the Lebanese people virtual prisoners in their own country. ISNA joins other Muslims and faith groups in calling for immediate, balanced, and decisive leadership from our administration in helping to resolve this current crisis between the Palestinians, Israel and Lebanon, and to work for a comprehensive cease fire.

On a moral and even legal level, it is unconscionable and unethical, as well as a violation of the Geneva Convention that an entire population be punished through actions such cutting off electricity or food, while holding them prisoner by cutting off access to borders or travel. This immoral policy which began in Gaza has now been extended to a sovereign nation, in an attack that began by targeting the very symbol of that sovereignty, the airport. Israel has openly and brazenly stated its intent to turn Lebanon - an ally whom we were recently defending against Syrian intervention - back twenty years. Innocent civilians have been the main victims of this blitzkrieg, and an entire population of the people Lebanon now join the people of Gaza in being subjected to collective punishment for the actions of a few.

The Palestinian struggle for dignity and independence and the Israeli struggle for security is long-standing and will never be resolved by force. Over the last few decades, thousands of people, Arab Christians and Muslims in Lebanon and Palestine and Israeli Jews have been harmed or killed in violent conflict. The death of more people will not further the cause of peace and security.

If there is any hope for resolving this crisis and working to achieve an effective cease fire, and preventing the spread of this conflict which could lead to an all out regional war, it must be done quickly, and with fairness to all parties. All troops must be brought back into their own territories and halt all attacks upon their neighbors. All captives of this recent conflict should be returned unharmed. Every effort should be made to restore normal living conditions to affected civilian populations. The world cannot afford an all-out war in the Middle East and so we must join together for an all-out effort for peace.

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