1967-2007: The “Seventh” Day Has Meant No Respite

1967-2007: The “Seventh” Day Has Meant No Respite

A message on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1967 War

June 5, 2007

For the last 40 years, the Palestinian people have lived under occupation.  For the past 40 years, the Israeli people have lived with an ongoing debate about what to do with the occupied territories.  Generations of Palestinians in the occupied territories have experienced checkpoints with soldiers, curfews, and restricted access; home demolitions for the sake of settlement and barrier construction; and a lack of legal status as citizens of any state, forced to obtain permits to visit family, to seek medical care, freely worship in particular churches or mosques, or tend their agricultural fields.  Generations of Israelis have experienced mandatory military service in the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights; insecurity resulting from unresolved conflict over the land; and unheeded local and international calls to end the fact and practices of occupation.  As the occupation enters its fifth decade, settlements continue to be expanded, the separation barrier continues to be built, and Israeli forces continue to exert control over the Palestinian people within the occupied territories.

A message on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1967 War

June 5, 2007

For the last 40 years, the Palestinian people have lived under occupation.  For the past 40 years, the Israeli people have lived with an ongoing debate about what to do with the occupied territories.  Generations of Palestinians in the occupied territories have experienced checkpoints with soldiers, curfews, and restricted access; home demolitions for the sake of settlement and barrier construction; and a lack of legal status as citizens of any state, forced to obtain permits to visit family, to seek medical care, freely worship in particular churches or mosques, or tend their agricultural fields.  Generations of Israelis have experienced mandatory military service in the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights; insecurity resulting from unresolved conflict over the land; and unheeded local and international calls to end the fact and practices of occupation.  As the occupation enters its fifth decade, settlements continue to be expanded, the separation barrier continues to be built, and Israeli forces continue to exert control over the Palestinian people within the occupied territories.

   Complete Statement [PDF] on the occassion of the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 War