Israel

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 20

Israel

Sir, —Whether under occupation, in exile separated from their families and homes, or in refugee camps in Lebanon, where last year alone 126 reft gees were killed by Israeli air bbmbings, the Palestinians’ life has been one of oppression and u rtold suffering. With the Palestinian uprising in the occupied West Bank and Gaza we are bJing shown the brutality of the Israeli occupation which, besides daily shootings and beatings, includes detention and deportation vjithout trial, torture of prisoners, bulldozing of homes, land confiscation, curfews, economic strangulation, and curtailment of all Ralestinian expression. The P.L.O. ’wants Israeli-Palestinian talks. It is prepared to settle for dnly a 1/5 of the original homefond (West Bank and Gaza) and tb share it with all citizens, ijegardless of race or religion (unlike the State of Israel). While an intransigent Israeli Government continues to ignore P.L.O. peace initiatives and deports and imprisons local Palestinian leaders, an increasing number of Israelis who are seeng their Government’s policies as the real “terrorism,” are pursuing genuine dialogue with he P.L.0./Palestinians. — Yours, R. A. SMITH, Palestine Human Rights Campaign, Christchurch branch. March 3, 1988.