Protest against barrier
Posted: 02 Nov 2006 @ 00:00
A RESOLUTION on the use of funds in relation to conflict in Israel anPalestine was amended to call for Israel's "immediate demolition of thsecurity barrier".
It called on the Israeli government to ceasall further settlement and road expansion in the west Bank, and on Hamaand other Palestinian groups to recognise the State of Israel and to seepeaceful means to bring to an end the occupation. It also urged the governmenof Israel and the Palestinian Authority to persist in the search for a solutiothat guarantees the rights of all.
Dr Peter Stephens was one othe very few voices opposed to the amendment from Gerald Barley, whicstrengthened a call to "halt" construction of the barrier. "I have not heard word said about terror attacks on Israel," said Dr Stephens. "Daily assaultand killing" did not justify anything Israel did, but at least gave a contexfor understanding why such a barrier had been built.
But othevoices urged the Conference not to confuse the issue of Judaism with the Statof Israel: it was a matter of criticising the Israeli government's "land-grabpolic