September 16th, 1982, is one of the most painful dates embedded in the Palestinian collective memory. Lebanese Phalangist militia, in collaboration with the Israeli army, stormed the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila in southern Beirut, butchering approximately three thousand unarmed Palestinian refugees, men, women and children.

The decision to move into West Beirut had been taken by then Israeli Prime Minister, Menachem Begin, and Defense Minister, Ariel Sharon, although it constituted a violation of the cease-fire. On the morning of September 15th, the Israel Defense Force moved into west Beirut and completely occupied it, despite protests from the Lebanese and US governments. The IDF did not enter Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, but surrounded and sealed them off with troops and tanks. The next day, the Israeli cabinet approved a decision to allow the Lebanese militia into the camps to carry out one of the worst massacres of the Twentieth Century. The killing continued uninterrupted for two days, after which bulldozers were used to dig mass graves for the bodies that filled the alleys. A number of homes were also bulldozed to cover up the bodies of the victims.

Two months later, on December 16th, 1982, the United Nations General Assembly condemned the massacres as an act of genocide.

As we commemorate the 19th anniversary of this horrific event, we do not have to look far for other reminders of the inhumane atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, or of the urgency of achieving a comprehensive 'end to the conflict.'

The undeniable obligation of the State of Israel to come to terms with its own history and acknowledge the suffering it has inflicted upon the Palestinian people must never be forgotten. Peace, and peaceful co-existence, cannot be achieved in any other way - 'historical reconciliation' cannot be achieved without a 'historical confession.'

The massacres at Sabra and Shatila, gruesome as they were, are just two in a long list of ruthless massacres perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people, including Tantura, Deir Yassin, Qana, Hebron to name but a few. This 'untold holocaust' orchestrated by a merciless Israeli government has cost tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and victimized countless others.

As we sand in solidarity and unity with the American people at this time of pain and tragedy, we are reminded of the need to achieve a comprehensive end to all acts of violence, aggression, terrorism and cruelty against humanity.