Saturday, September 17, 2011

Palestine: the world's next nation needs your signature

I urge you to visit this link and sign the petition
http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_en/?rc=fb&pv=99

Dear friends,

In four days the UN General Assembly will meet, and the world has an opportunity to embrace a new proposal that could turn the tide on decades of failed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: UN recognition of the state of Palestine.

Over 120 nations from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America have already endorsed this initiative, but Israel 's right-wing government and the US are trying to block it. Europe is still undecided. Only a massive public push now could tip this key bloc to vote with the rest of the world for this momentous opportunity to end 40 years of military occupation.

US-led peace initiatives have failed for decades, while Israel has confined Palestinians to small areas, confiscated their lands and blocked their independence. This bold new initiative could be the best opportunity to jump start a resolution of the conflict. We have just 4 days to persuade Europe to endorse this statehood bid, and make clear that citizens across the world support this legitimate, non-violent, diplomatic proposal. Sign the petition and send this to everyone -- let's reach 1 million:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_en/97.php?cl_tta_sign=cac5ba16233bd88c6dee73287de81bde

While the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are complex, most people on all sides agree that the best path to peace is the creation of two states. But repeated peace processes have been undermined by violence on both sides, extensive Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank, and the humanitarian blockade on Gaza. The Israeli occupation has shrunk and fragmented the territory for a Palestinian state and made daily life a crippling ordeal for the Palestinian people. The UN, World Bank and IMF have all recently announced that Palestinians are ready to run an independent state, but say the main constraint to success is the Israeli occupation. Even the US President has called for an end to settlement expansion and a return to the 1 967 borders with mutually agreed land-swaps, but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has furiously refused to cooperate.

It’s time for a dramatic shift away from a futile peace process and on to a new path for progress. While the Israeli and US governments are calling the Palestinian initiative ‘unilateral’ and dangerous, in fact the world’s nations overwhelmingly support this diplomatic move away from violence. Global recognition of Palestine could crush extremists who argue violence is the only solution, and foster a growing non-violent Palestinian-Israeli movement in step with the democratic momentum across the region. Most importantly, it will rescue a path to a negotiated settlement, allow the Palestinians access to a variety of international institutions that can help advance Palestinian freedom, and send a clear signal to Israel’s pro-settler government that the world will no longer accept their impunity and intransigence.

For too long, Israel has undermined the hope for a Palestinian state. For too long, the US has appeased them, and for too long Europe has hidden behind the US. Right now, Europe is on the fence about Palestinian statehood. We have just 4 days to reach 1 million. Let’s appeal to Europe's leaders to stand on the right side of history and support a Palestinian declaration of freedom and independence, with overwhelming support, and financial aid. Sign the urgent petition for Europe to back this move for long-term peace in Israel and Palestine:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_en/97.php?cl_tta_sign=cac5ba16233bd88c6dee73287de81bde

Palestinian statehood will not bring a resolution to this intractable conflict overnight, but UN recognition will change the dynamics and will begin to unlock the door towards freedom and peace. Across Palestine, people are preparing, with hope and expectation, to reclaim a freedom their generation has never known. Let's stand with them and push our leaders to do the same, as they have stood with the people of Egypt, Syria and Libya.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Ricken, Stephanie, Morgan, Pascal, Rewan and the entire Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

Abbas vows to continue UN statehood bid
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/201171302020819197.html

Arab League will call for Palestinian State at the UN
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/14/us-palestinians-israel-statehood-arabs-idUSTRE76D21020110714

Palestinians and Israelis march for Palestinian statehood:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/israelis-and-arabs-march-in-jerusalem-for-palestinian-statehood/2011/07/15/gIQAQPnSGI_story.html

Israel campaign against UN vote:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/10/israel-plan-block-un-palestinian-state?INTCMP=SRCH

Palestinian call for statehood:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/47a391f6-b121-11e0-a43e-00144feab49a.html#axzz1SefO7Aor

Palestinian statehood and bypassing Israel:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/06/20116168535227628.html

UN says Palestinians able to govern own state
http://unispal.un.org/pdfs/AHLC-Apr2011_UNSCOrpt.pdf

List of countries recognizing the state of Palestine
http://www.avaaz.org/en/countries_recognizing_palestine/?info
In four days the UN General Assembly will meet, and the world has an opportunity to embrace a new proposal that could turn the tide on decades of failed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: UN recognition of the state of Palestine.

Over 120 nations from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America have already endorsed this initiative, but Israel's right-wing government and the US are trying to block it. Europe is still undecided. Only a massive public push now could tip this key bloc to vote with the rest of the world for this momentous opportunity to end 40 years of military occupation.

US-led peace initiatives have failed for decades, while Israel has confined Palestinians to small areas, confiscated their lands and blocked their independence. This bold new initiative could be the best opportunity to jump start a resolution of the conflict. We have just 4 days to persuade Europe to endorse this statehood bid, and make clear that citizens across the world support this legitimate, non-violent, diplomatic proposal. Sign the petition and send this to everyone -- let's reach 1 million!
Update: 26 July 2011
Our voices are being heard right inside the United Nations! Palestinian Ambassador Mansour just referred to our campaign in his announcement that Palestinians want to be the 194th member of the United Nations and thanked all of us for our willingness "to join this march [with the Palestinian people]…to end occupation..achieve independence and...allow justice and peace to prevail."
Let's build this petition and ramp up the pressure -- sign now and send to everyone!

Update: 25 July 2011
Over 300,000 signers in just 2 days! The United Nations' meeting is in 24 hours. Let's get to half a million and push our leaders to recognise Palestine. Sign the urgent petition and send to everyone



 The Palestinian people are calling on the world to recognize Palestine as a state. Over 120 countries have endorsed the call, but the US and Israel are trying to block. European leaders are on the fence. In 24 hours the proposal will be presented to the UN. If we can persuade Europe to support this non violent, legitimate bid now, it could spur a dramatic shift towards peace. Click to sign the urgent petition!

To European leaders and all UN member states:

We urge you to endorse the legitimate bid for recognition of the state of Palestine and the reaffirmation of the rights of the Palestinian people. It is time to turn the tide on decades of failed peace talks, end the occupation and move towards peace based on two states.

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