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Message for Bil'in conference
(To be read by our friend Jean-Guy Greilsamer of our affiliated group, Union Juive Fran軋ise pour la Paix (France).
On behalf of the European Jews for a Just Peace it is my pleasure to convey a message to the Second Annual Bil段n International Conference.
Dear friends,
Last year, on the occasion of the International Conference convened in Bil段n on the first anniversary of nonviolent resistance, 25 February 2006, the meeting of the Executive Committee of EJJP was held in this village. The members had the honour to meet the extraordinarily brave people of the village of Bil段n, who have been holding regular, nonviolent demonstrations, under tremendous odds, against the theft of their land by Israel. This inspiring struggle has been made with great courage, resourcefulness and persistence.
There have been countless arrests, detainments and brutality against the people of Bil段n, as everywhere else in the Occupied Territories. Nevertheless, your nonviolent struggle has continued and has become a symbol of bravery for those of us who live abroad and who are part of the worldwide movement to put an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
We wish to express our great admiration for those Israelis and Palestinians, who are working together in Bil段n in the common struggle to fight against the occupation. You, the activists and inhabitants of the village, have always welcomed Jews and Israelis who have come here to join you. This is living proof that coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians is indeed possible.
International peace activists have come to Bil段n regularly. Many have been chased, beaten and wounded, but have not relinquished their ideals and have demonstrated their solidarity with the Palestinian people in their fight for freedom from the Israeli occupation.
Following our participation at last year痴 Conference the members of the European Jews for a Just Peace have shown films about Bil段n in various countries of Europe and spoken about the courageous, nonviolent actions of your and other villages in the Occupied Territories against land confiscation.
We have not forgotten the promise made by the Executive Committee last year.
Every first Friday in the month, an International Bil段n Day has been held in the centre of Berlin. These successful vigils have taken place on a regular basis to inform people about your outstanding village and the resistance against the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian Territories. These vigils have been held by the Middle East Group together with our affiliated group, the Jewish Voice for a Just Peace. Both groups feel a deep connection with you.
EJJP wishes to assure you of its admiration and continued support. Together with the growing movement of those opposing the Israeli occupation we will bring the illegal and unjust occupation of Palestinian land to an end.
We regret very much not being able to attend the International Conference this year but send you our warmest good wishes and hopes for a productive and fruitful conference.
Executive Committee, EJJP
Amsterdam, 5 April 2007
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