Almost six months after the outbreak of the Palestinian Intifada (uprising), the message from the Palestinian people to the world is loud and clear -in order for justice and peace to prevail, Israel must end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.

The increasing momentum of the Intifada has significantly mobilized ALL sectors of Palestinian society to take a powerful stance against Israeli occupation, oppression, and injustice.

Yet, in the midst of this national expression for freedom and liberty, an unimaginably horrific human cost to the Palestinians (more than 410 deaths and 12,000 casualties) calls for immediate international efforts to protect the Palestinian people. Within this context, two upcoming events are of great importance, the annual meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights on March 19th in Geneva, and the Arab Summit on March 27th in Amman.

Both bodies must fully realize the urgency in providing protection to the Palestinian people, in light of the continued atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinians, the excessive and indiscriminate use of force; the multiple siege policy on Palestinian cities, towns, and villages; Israel’s policy of extra-judicial killings and political assassinations; and finally, Israel’s intolerable and inhuman treatment of Palestinian civilians.

International efforts have so far fallen dangerously short of addressing the horrific nature of Israel’s policies and measures against the Palestinians. We now have before us yet another setting for such vital issues to be seriously tackled.