As a human rights activist, Bianca Jagger has witnessed Israeli forces obstructing and preventing the delivery of vital food and medical supplies to Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories. Humanitarian convoys organized by United Nations (UN) agencies are held for long hours at Israeli checkpoints before being given permission to cross or ordered to turn away. “I am deeply concerned by the Israeli military practices in the Occupied Territories. The impositions of curfews and the re-occupation of Palestinian towns and villages has created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis for the Palestinian people,” Jagger said at a 16 July 2002 Palestine Center (Palestine Center) briefing.

Jagger called on the Israeli government to allow Palestinians freedom of movement and to allow relief workers and medical personnel free access to civilians. She urged Israel to halt all forms of collective punishment used against an entire population.

Israel, Jagger argued, is an occupying power bound by obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention that calls for the protection of civilians in times of war. “Self-defense does not relieve Israel from its obligations under international law,” Jagger argued.

During her weeklong visit to the Palestinian territories in April, Jagger helped distribute food, medicine, blankets, and temporary shelters to Palestinians under siege. She met with Israeli officials in an attempt to persuade them to allow humanitarian agencies to carry out their duties. She also addressed human rights violations committed by Israeli forces, and documented by Amnesty International, such as the use of excessive, lethal, and disproportionate force against a civilian Palestinian population.

By not holding its soldiers accountable for these violations, the Israeli government, argued Jagger, has allowed a “culture of impunity” to flourish. The international community, Jagger pointed out, must call on Israel to respect humanitarian principles and international law. “I do not understand why we have double standards when it comes to the issues of human rights and adherence to [international] law when it comes to Israel,” Jagger said.

Jagger pointed out that Britain, like Israel, has been hit by terrorist attacks, but if the British government had responded in the way Israel has, the international community would have been “up in arms,” condemning Britain. Why then, asked Jagger, should Israel not be held responsible for its acts? Jagger strongly condemns suicide attacks against Israeli civilians, but also condemns the use of disproportionate lethal force against Palestinians.

Jagger said she was horrified by the destruction the Israeli army inflicted in the Jenin refugee camp with gun-ships and tanks. She compared it to the aftermath of an earthquake. She said she received “credible” evidence that civilians were not given sufficient warning or time to evacuate the camp. Medical personnel and aid workers were denied entry into the camp, and Palestinians were used as human shields in Israeli military operations.

Jagger urged Americans to search for the truth about what is happening in the Middle East. She explained that unlike the British media, the American media was not telling the truth about events in the Occupied Territories. “The information the British people have access to is much different then what the American people have,” Jagger explained.

Jagger urged all peace-seeking people to join forces and work together to achieve peace in the Middle East. She believes that the policies of U.S. President George W. Bush will never lead to peace between Palestinians and Israelis, especially since Bush has declared himself an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The above text is based on remarks delivered on 16 July 2002 by Bianca Jagger. The speaker’s views do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine (Palestine Center) or The Jerusalem Fund. This “For the Record” may be used without permission but with proper attribution to Palestine Center.

This information first appeared in “For the Record” No. 122, 17 July 2002.