The Other Apartheid: COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE U.S.-BACKED ISRAELI WAR CRIMES IN PALESTINE
WHY A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY?
Day after day, as Israeli ‘Defense’ Forces continue to kill, attack and humiliate the Palestinian people in a brutal occupation, the U.S. Government lays the blame for the conflict and responsibility for peace on the Palestinians. It arrogantly insists on "reform" of all Palestinian institutions, the overturn of the Palestinian leadership and an end to all Palestinian resistance to occupation. The powerful combination of U.S. policy’s vast diplomatic support, arming and funding of Israel and the corporate media’s wildly distorted portrayal of the occupation creates mass confusion about the situation for people in the U.S.
The Commission of Inquiry is being titled ‘The Other Apartheid’ as a comparison to the apartheid policies faced by Palestinian people in the Occupied Territories and within the 1948 border of Israel, and to those faced in South Africa. This is clearly a policy that comes from the top levels of the Israeli government with the full support of the United States, just as the U.S. and Israel supported the now-overthrown apartheid regime in South Africa.
Few people in the U.S. realize that the U.S.-backed Israeli occupation breaks dozens of international laws and human rights conventions. Even fewer know of the dispossession of the Palestinian people to make way for the state of Israel, or of the long history of Palestinian resistance.
WHAT IS THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY?
The Commission of Inquiry to investigate U.S.-Backed Israeli War Crimes in Palestine will hold an opening hearing in New York City on Saturday, October 5. Major hearings will follow on the West Coast in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and then in cities around the country and the world.
At these hearings, we will present an indictment charging the state of Israel and the United States with conspiring and acting in a common course of conduct to commit the most serious crimes of apartheid and crimes of occupation, war crimes and crimes against humanity in violation of all international norms and standards, and of U.S. law. They will stand charged before the jury of the world--including experts, communities and the people of all countries. After hearing and seeing evidence first hand of Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace--and, very importantly, U.S. collusion in those crimes--a judgment will be issued in the name of the people.
This summer, activists from across the U.S. and internationally are initiating a grassroots research and information gathering effort to collect information and evidence of U.S.-backed Israeli war crimes against the Palestinian people.
We are gathering a vast body of evidence that will include witnesses from Palestine with first hand accounts of atrocities; information collected by the A.N.S.W.E.R. fact-finding delegation that visited the West Bank, Gaza Strip and inside 1948 Israeli; new video images from besieged lands, including Ramallah, Jenin, occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza; and assessments from experts in legal, medical and other fields.
Presentation of testimony will include video footage, expert witnesses, photo displays, written reports, and in some cities live video and audio feed bringing testimony from people in the Occupied Territories.
Research will be gathered in many areas to support the charges of the Commission of Inquiry’s indictment, including inhumane treatment of civilians and prisoners, deliberate destruction of the Palestinian economy, denying medical aid, the racist character of the Israeli state, and more. Additional information will be sent out via email. A detailed listing of research categories is available at http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/COI/index.html
Our intention, in addition to documenting the countless violations of humanitarian and other laws, is to assemble an accurate narrative that depicts the historical and contemporary oppression imposed upon the Palestinian people that will be a lasting tool that can be used for education and outreach in building solidarity for the Palestinian struggle for freedom.
The presentation of evidence at mass public hearings in major cities across the U.S. and internationally will present an opportunity for many people to learn the true story of the Palestinian people, and for significant displays of opposition to the U.S.-supported Israeli occupation.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED WITH THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY?
1) BECOME A VOLUNTEER WITH THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY: Regardless of where you live, you can volunteer to help gather information to support the Commission of Inquiry to Investigate U.S.-backed Israeli War Crimes in Palestine. Go to http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/COI/index.html for a detailed listing of research categories or email commission@nypublish.com for more information
2) MARK YOUR CALENDAR & ATTEND THE MASS PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY: The opening hearings will be held on Saturday, October 5 in New York City, with subsequent hearings in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and then in cities around the U.S. and internationally. For more information, call 212-633-6646, 415-821-6545 or 213-487-2368 or email dc@internationalanswer.org
3) ORGANIZE A HEARING IN YOUR CITY OR COMMUNITY: If you’re interested in organizing a hearing of the Commission of Inquiry in your city next Fall or Winter, email dc@internationalanswer.org
4) MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT: Make an invaluable contribution to the struggle for truth and justice for the Palestinian people. Tax-deductible contributions can be made online at http://www.internationalanswer.org/donate.html
FOR MORE INFORMATION
dc@internationalanswer.org
New York: 212-633-6646
Washington DC: 202-332-5757
Chicago: 773-381-5839
Los Angeles: 213-487-2368
San Francisco: 415-821-6545International A.N.S.W.E.R. Act Now to Stop War & End Racism http://www.InternationalANSWER.org
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