January 1990, Page 44a

Waging Peace

By Vicki Tamoush

French Television Poll Supports Palestinian State

French television channel Le Cinq conducted a poll recently which determined that a full 56 percent of French citizens support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A televised debate between Hammadi Essid ' Arab League ambassador in Paris, and French Jewish community leader Jean Kahn preceded the opinion poll. Essid has asserted that the creation of a Palestinian state is a prerequisite to a peaceful settlement in the Middle East. He further denounced the brutal Israeli repression of the intifada, noting the many and broad concessions made by the PLO in an effort to promote the peace process in the face of continued Israeli intransigence.

Amnesty International Condemns Israeli Use of Lethal Force

Among the increasing number of Arab cases undertaken by Amnesty International (322 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 1000 1 -1 (212) 807-8400) is the killing of a 17-year old Palestinian, Yasser Muhammad Abu Ghawsh, shot to death in the head and back under suspicious circumstances in Ramallah on the West Bank. Al has published a briefing paper detailing the incident, including eyewitness statements, local media coverage and the official Israeli response. The document also states that, since the onset of the intifada in December 1987, Al "has repeatedly voiced concern about a pattern of killings of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in which there appears to have been unjustifiable use of lethal force, condoned if not encouraged by Israeli authorities."

Canadian Group Funds Health Care for Intifada Victims

A much needed physiotherapist will serve in the Nablus area for a one-year period, thanks to a grant facilitated by the Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation of Canada (NECEF, 106 Duplex Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5P 2A7; (416) 483-6467). Health care workers and residents alike will receive training in physiotherapeutic techniques in a clinic designed to respond to the overwhelming number of injuries and disabilities on the West Bank. NECEF has also funded a dental clinic to serve the remote villages and a number of refugee camps on the West Bank, and a child care program which includes the services of two psychological counselors. North American-based activities of NECEF include workshops, scholarships and publications such as its handbook, "Palestine and the Palestinians, " available through the AET Book Club.

Gladys Shibley Sadd Lecture

Gladys Shibly Sadd spoke on her book, "The Middle East: Its Wisdom, Wit and Culture," at the William G. Abdalah Memorial Library at St. George Community Center (55 Emmonsdale Road, West Roxbury, MA 02132). The library's newsletter addresses contributions by Arabs to culture and science, as well as local events for those interested in the Middle East.

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Publishes Middle East Studies

The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom's (WILPF) Middle East Committee (743 Spruce St., Berkeley, CA 94707) has published some excellent action oriented materials on pending legislation and newly available publications. The most recent Action Alerts concern the sale of tanks to Saudi Arabia and the US Memo of Understanding with Israel; Israel's proposed $400 million loan to underwrite more West Bank and Gaza Strip settlements; the UN NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine petition, "Peace for Palestine and Israel in 1989; " and the Arafat visa proposal. Analysis as well as suggested responses are provided in a clear, concise format and can be implemented either by local WILPF branches nationwide or by individuals not affiliated with organizations.

Illinois Conference on Mideast Peace

The Union Church of Hinsdale (137 S. Garfield St., Hinsdale, IL 60521; (312) 323-4303) presented a one-day conference entitled, "Waging Peace in the Middle East, " featuring retired Ambassador Samuel W. Lewis, who served for eight years in Israel, Dr. Uri Maor of the Israeli Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, Dr. Ghada Talhami of the Palestine Human Rights Campaign and Ronald J. Young of the Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East. In addition to the main presentations, two discussion groups with Israeli and Palestinian resource persons and also facilitators from Union Church gave participants an opportunity to exchange views.

Vicki Tamoush is an Arab American based in Glendale, CA, where she is active in peace groups.