Apology issued by Israeli Embassy in Dublin

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Saturday September 08, 2007 16:39 by Mairead corrigan Maguire - Peace People

gassed and shot in Bi'lin

SUMMARY

Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Ann Patterson were invited to Dublin on Monday last, 3 September, by the Israeli Ambassador, Dr Zion Evrony. The Ambassador apologised on behalf of the Israeli Government for the assault and injury caused by Israeli soldiers to the two peace workers in Bil'in last April.

In accepting the apology, Ms Maguire asked that the human rights of Palestinians to non-violent protest be respected and upheld. She also asked that Israel engage in talks with Hamas.

FULL STORY

Mairead Corrigan Maguire (Nobel Peace Laureate) and co-worker Ann Patterson, today (Monday) met with His Excellency Dr. Zion Evrony, Ambassador of Israel to Ireland. The meeting took place in the Israeli Embassy in Dublin.

Dr. Evrony conveyed to both women an Apology on behalf of the Israeli Government for the Israeli Military’s assault upon them which took place on 20th April, 2007. During a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in both women were gassed and Ms. Maguire was shot in the leg with a rubber coated steel bullet by an Israeli soldier at a distance of 20 metres.

The women were taking part in a nonviolent peaceful vigil together with Palestinian villagers, international peace activists, and Palestinian and European parliamentarians. Bil’in is threatened by the proposed route of the Wall through the village, combined with potential expansion of the nearby settlement of Modi’in Illit. The impact of this Wall on the village will be severe, including loss of village land and restriction of freedom of movement for the villagers.

Every Friday villagers attempt to carry out a vigil near the Wall in order to protest the continuation of the building of this illegal wall and the annexation of their land (under International Law this wall is illegal) but they are constantly abused by Israeli military firing gas, metal bullets, and water canon at unarmed resisters.

Mrs. Maguire said ‘I accept the apology from the Israeli Government and thank Ambassador Evrony for meeting with myself and my colleague Ann Patterson. However, I would like to know further what kind of gas is being used. She also asked for an assurance that the human rights of the Palestinian people to nonviolent protest, against the building of this illegal wall on their land, be respected and upheld.’

HOLD PEACE TALKS WITH HAMAS

Mrs. Maguire expressed her hope and belief that peace between Israel/Palestine is possible and can be achieved through nonviolent conflict resolution. She said it was her hope that the Israeli Government would include Hamas in Peace talks, and that all parties, both state and nonstate, would put up their arms, and use the means of nonviolence and dialogue as the way to peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. ‘

Mairead Corrigan Maguire
Nobel Peace Laureate
Peace People, 224 Lisburn Road, Belfast. BT9 (Tel: 90.663465)
www.peacepeople.com