The USA, Britain and all of those for waging war on Iraq have been calling upon their citizens to immediately evacuate the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In addition, many international agencies, some due to their government’s pressure, in the OPT are also calling on their staff to evacuate, although the international presence in Palestine comes due to assistance and protection of the Palestinian people, particularly in times of crisis.

The importance of international presence in the OPT cannot be stressed enough as their lies real fear that while the world is focused on Iraq violence against the Palestinian people will increase tremendously adding to the already ongoing crisis situation in the OPT. The presence of internationals, both those working for humanitarian and developmental international agencies and delegates acting as civilian observers is crucial for the safety and well-being of Palestinians. It is important that these individuals and groups play an eyewitness role in the middle of Israel’s flagrant violation of the Palestinian human rights, especially, when the entire world is focusing on Iraq as we believe that the magnitude and acceleration of Israeli violence against the Palestinian people will increase as never before since the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.

The Palestinian people have always shown their utmost appreciation and admiration to all those international delegates/persons, either as part of International NGOs and agencies or as individuals, for what they’ve done and are doing for the Palestinian people and their just cause under the illegal Israeli occupation. The Palestinian people, as a civilized and educated people, have always shown their sophistication, education, and peacefulness towards all those persons/groups that are there to support them either through developmental projects and programs or those acting as civilian observers. It is unjust for those that try to dehumanize Palestinians to play an upper hand in pressuring governments, agencies and institutions to remove their staff or not allow their citizens to bear witness to what may be one of the most tragic moments in Palestinian history.

We, the Palestinian Non Governmental Organizations Network, PNGO, call upon all the concerned Embassies, consulates, representative offices, NGOs, UN agencies and individuals, in the region, to reject this racist under-toned call for the internationals to leave the Palestinian territories. Also, we call upon them to stop such negative appeals, that would only serve the violent and terror laden behavior of the Israeli government’s racist, inhumane and anti-peace behaviors and actions.

PNGO Coordinating Office, P.A.R.C Building, Ramallah, Palestine. Tel: 02-296-3847 Email: pngonet@p-ol.com