As the Palestinian people mark the first anniversary of the Intifada (uprising), the streets of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and east Jerusalem will inevitably witness the bustling of furious demonstrators and the powerful chants of a scarred nation. Yet, at the end of this painful day, silence will haunt every Palestinian home, in every town, village, and refugee camp, as the Palestinian people recapture the pain and tragedy of the past year. Ultimately, the silence will, yet again, be broken by the horrific sound of Israeli tank shells and apache helicopters.

Since September 28th, 2000, Israeli forces have killed 696 Palestinians (174 of whom are children below the age of 18), injured 28,916 (2,832 of whom suffer from permanent disabilities), assassinated 65 Palestinian political activists and figures, and destroyed 5,003 Palestinian homes.

One year after the outbreak of the Intifada, the message is clear: A just and comprehensive peace in the region can only be achieved through an unconditional Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian land captured in the June 1967 war, the dismantlement of illegal Jewish settlements, the release of all Palestinian political prisoners, and the return of the Palestinians refugees, in accordance with UN resolutions 242, 338, and 194.

The Intifada is an embodiment of the human will to resist the injustices of military occupation, discrimination, and oppression. The Intifada is a struggle for justice, equality, and peace.

As we enter the second year of the Intifada, it is vital that the international community realizes that regional stability can only be achieved by tackling the very roots and causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict; namely, by putting AN END TO ISRAELI OCCUPATION.