WRITE! For Justice, Human Rights and International Law in Palestine

Yesterday, the LA Times published a problematic editorial 'Israel 's Peace Paradox' 10/23 on Israeli settlements and the peace process generally. This editorial purports to be even-handed, but it was missing crucial information. While it correctly pointed out that Olmert's recent words on the need to evacuate most of the settlements did not match his actions on the ground -- since settlements rapidly expanded under his tenure -- the editorial did not address several
critical issues.

The editorial failed to mention that settlements are absolutely illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention, UN Security Council Resolutions, and the International Court of Justice decision of 2004. It also failed to acknowledge the role of US policy in providing significant financial
and diplomatic aid to the Israeli government without any accountability, as the settlements rapidly expanded. Finally, this editorial continued to promote the myth that Israel is rejected by its neighbors, by ignoring the 2002 Arab League proposal for a comprehensive settlement.

Please let the LA Times letters@latimes.com
http://us.mc309.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=letters@latimes.com know
that ignoring critical details such as international law, US policy, and settler violence during the Olive Harvest only contributes to a lack of understanding of the conflict. Be sure to include your name, address, and keep your letter under 150 words. of the conflict.

For further information:

World Bank: Economic Effects of Restricted Access to Land in the West Bank

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWESTBANKGAZA/Resources/Economic
EffectsofRestrictedAccesstoLandintheWestBankOct.21.08.pdf

UNICEF: Humanitarian Action Update - Occupied Palestinian Territory
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWFiles2008.nsf/FilesByRWDocUnidFilename/
EGUA-7KPMVE-full_report.pdf/$File/full_report.pdf

The Olive Harvest
http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_fact_sheet_olive_harvist_20
08_10_15_enlish.pdf