Israel is engaged in state terrorism against the Palestinian people.

I just returned from a two-week visit to the Palestine Occupied Territories and can give firsthand testimony to the inhumane conditions facing the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. We deplore the decision by the Israeli government to cut off vital supplies of electricity and fuel (and therefore water, since the pumps cannot work), as well as essential foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian supplies to the civilian population of Gaza. Such an action constitutes a clear and unequivocal crime against humanity.

We call on the governments of the world, and in particular the American government and the European Parliament, to censure Israel's actions and, in light of recent attempts to revive the diplomatic process, to end all attacks on civilians, including the continuing demolition of Palestinian homes at an alarming rate. Similarly, we appeal to the peoples of the world to let their officials and leaders know of their repudiation of this cruel, illegal and immoral act -- an act that stands out in its cruelty even in an already oppressive Israeli Occupation.

We condemn attacks on all civilians, and we acknowledge the suffering of the residents of Sderot. Still, those attacks do not justify the massive and collectively disproportional of Israeli sanctions over a million and half civilians of Gaza, in particular in light of Israel's oppressive 40-year occupation. Such violations of international law by a government are especially egregious and must be denounced and punished if the very system of human rights and international law is to be preserved.

AREF ASSAF

Denville

The writer is president of the American Arab Forum, Paterson.

Sadly only the other side bothered to express their views. "Our patriotic friends, again failed to express their supportive views.

From the Record's online chat, here are some readers' responses.

Add Comment | View All Comments   Reader Comment Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:14 am What struck me about this article by Aref Assaf, president of the American Arab Forum, --is the troublesome wordage that he is using here. Is this an opinion, --or is he delivering us a threat? This American Arab states, “Still, those attacks do not justify the massive and collectively disproportional of Israeli sanctions over a million and half civilians of Gaza, in particular in light of Israel’s oppressive 40-year occupation. Such violations of international law by a government are especially egregious and must be denounced and punished if the very system of human rights and international law is to be preserved.” This sounds more like an out and out excuse for the Arabs to continually attack Isreal, until they are no more. Aref Assaf says, “They “must” be forever “denounced,” and “punished.” The problem is that this writer is talking for the American Arab Forum. He is speaking to Americans, and his terminology comes across not as an opinion, --but as a demand. People who are expressing opinions, use such words as, ’I think,’ or ’should,’ or ’need to.’ Persons, who are delivering demands and threats, use the word --“must.” In this country, we are a democracy. If the American Arabs want our country to behave in a certain way, then they should expect to stand in line and vote, along with all the rest of us. They have the freedom, in this country, to express their opinions, and to try and persuade others to their own way of thinking. But they do not have the freedom to bomb our buildings, blow up our cars, and murder innocent citizens, because they might not agree with our foreign policies. War mongers have no place in our country. These are not true Americans. Firing rockets at children is inhumane Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:53 pm Poor littl terrorists can't get any electricity. Boo Hoo Two Sides of the Story Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:30 pm Perhaps when radicals stop blowing up pizza parlors and shopping centers with bombs full of nails attached to themselves the voilence will stop. Perhaps when radicals stop inciting violence in their madrassas the violence will stop. Perhaps when radicals stop advocating the extermination of Isreal, America and anything non-Muslim the violence will stop. Perhaps when radicals stop forcing their beliefs on western cultures the violence will stop. Peter Zapf ISREAL AT FAULT? Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:13 pm Mr. Assaf, Why do you call on the U.S. and Western European countries to assist??What don't the Palestinian's own muslim brothers assist them? It seems when the palestinians broke the barrier down between Gaza and Egypt, the Egyptians (their muslim brothers) couldn't work fast enough to close the breaches and get them out of their country. They must be a most desireable lot! As well, I believe the resources of the US and Western European countries are presently involved in combating fanatical muslim terrorists in an attempt to prevent them from killing us again on our own soil. Perhaps if we didn't have to defend ourselves from these individuals, more focus could be paid elsewhere!