Following the disappearance of four members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, Palestinian political factions gathered in Hebron to issue a statement in Arabic about their experiences of seeing the CPT working in Palestine, and their personal knowledge of the three kidnapped members and their important work on behalf of the Palestinian people. Original Arabic version provided by CPT Hebron.
Thanks to the Electronic Intifada for the English translation, posted for informational purposes:
In
the name of God, the Compassionate and Merciful
"O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain
the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance
for what ye have done."-The Holy Qur'an, 49:6
The Islamic and National forces in the governorate of Hebron/Palestine express
their deep regret for the kidnapping of four members of the Christian Peacemaker
Teams (CPT) in Iraq.
The Islamic and National forces in the governorate of Hebron/Palestine have
had long experience confronting Israeli crimes and violations with the CPT since
1995, and wish to confirm that the members of this group have had and still
have a major role in confronting Israeli crimes and violations, and in the protection
of the property and the lives of the Palestinian citizens.
More than once they placed themselves in front of the occupation's tanks, and
they confronted Israeli occupation bulldozers with their bodies defending Palestinians'
homes against destruction. They accompanied our children when they were threatened
and attacked by Israeli settlers on their way to and from their schools. Because
of what they were doing, the CPT members were subjected to arrest, beating and
pursuit by the Israeli soldiers and settlers in more than one location in Palestine.
Many of them were denied entry to Palestine, or deported by the occupation authorities
because of their activities in confronting the occupation.
We appeal to our brothers in the resistance and all those with alert consciences
in Iraq, with whom we consider ourselves to be in the same trench confronting
American aggression and occupation, to instantly and quickly release the four
kidnapped persons (two Canadians, one Briton and one American) from CPT, in
appreciation for their role in standing beside and supporting our Palestinian
people and all the Arab and Islamic peoples.
Freedom for the Iraqi and Palestinian people.
Shame and disgrace on the Zionist and American occupation.
The Islamic and National Forces in the Governorate of Hebron:
Islamic Resistance Movement/Hamas
Palestine People's Party
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Democratic Union of Palestine/Fada
Fatah
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Palestinian Liberation Front
Palestinian Popular Struggle Front
Hebron, 29 November 2005