English translation of Al Quds ad against targeting civilians "in Israel"
paid for by European Union

[As published in The Jerusalem Times (Palestinian Publication) 20 June 2002]

[IMRA: This declaration asking for reconsideration of " military operations
targeting civilians in Israel " out of considerations of efficacy does not
relate to the murder of Israelis beyond the Green Line - for example the
four family members - including two children - slaughtered on 20 June in
Itamar]

Due to the dangerous situation under which the Palestinian people are
living and as part of our national responsibility, we, the undersigned, seek
to wish that those who stand behind the military operations targeting
civilians in Israel reconsider their policy and refrain from recruiting
young Palestinians for the purpose of mounting military attacks. We strongly
believe that such attacks aggravate the current critical situation and
augment hatred between the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. Besides,
military attacks deepen the gap between the two peoples and deteriorate the
situation further. The attacks also kill all possibility for the two peoples
to live in peace side by side in two neighboring states.

We believe that military operations do not contribute to the
development or accomplishment of our national project that calls for freedom
and independence. On the contrary, the operations increase the number of the
enemies of peace on the Israeli side and offer excuses to the government of
Israel, headed by Sharon, to escalate its military aggression against
Palestinian children and the elderly, and against Palestinian cities and
villages. The Israeli aggression also targets our accomplishments,
aspirations and national project.

The positive and negative features of a military operations is
defined by whether political goals are achieved and not by the operations
as a standard onto themselves. Therefore there is a need for the people
involved in the military operations to reconsider their actions, which we
believe only heightens tension between the Palestinians and Israelis and
drives them toward war and destruction, which have no logical, human or
political rationale.

Signatures:

Dr. Sari Nusseibeh; Dr. Hanan Ashrawi; Saleh Ra'fat; Salah Zuheikeh; Mamdouh
Nawfal; Hanna Siniora; Dr. Mohammed Ishtaya; Ibrahim Qandaleft; Dr. Iyad
Sarraj; Dr. Moussa Budeiri; Huda el-Imam; Dr. Marwan Abu-Zuluf; Sam'an
Khouri; Dr. Saeed Zidani; Dr. Umayya Khammash; Dr. Jad Ishac; Dr. Manawel
Hassasian; Salah Abdul-Shafi; Shaher Saad; Dr. Mohammed Dajaji; Imad Awad;
Fadel Tahboub; Majed Kiswani; Taysir Zubri; Dr. Ahmed Majdalani; Dr. Taleb
Awad; Khader Shukeirat; Zahi Khouri; Majed Abu Qaba'; Ihab Boulus; Dr. Issam
Nassar; Dr. Salim Tamari; Dr. Suad el-Amiri; Dr. Adam Abu Sharar; Dr. Rima
Hamami; Subhi Zubeidi; Dr. Mundher Dajani; Ussama Dhaher; Simon Kouba; Gina
Abu-Zuluf; Yusef Dhaher; Jamal Zakout; Dr. Saleh Abdul-Jawad; Dr. Nazmi
Jubeh; Dr. Jamil Hilal; Dr. Arafat el-Hidmi; Dr. Layla Faidi; Dr. Zakariya
el-Qaq; Amneh Badran; Dr. Ali Qleibo; Marwan Tarzi; Dr. Raja'i Dajani; Issa
Kassassiyeh; Hani el-Masri; Dr. Jumana Odeh; Lucy Nusseibeh; Abdul-Qader
Husseini; Zahra el-Khalidi.