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Mid-East PR blitz heads for Hague
EFL Dutch authorities have already made space in the city for the wreckage of the no.19 bus, destroyed in a deadly Jerusalem suicide attack last month. Exhibits will show how Palestinians cannot reach schools and hospitals. Jewish children cannot reach schools either -- they dont accept body parts. The bombed vehicle is Israelâs centre-piece in the looming battle for hearts and minds with pro-Palestinian groups in The Hague, where the International Court of Justice is on Monday to hold hearings on the legality of a barrier Israel has constructed to cut itself off from the Palestinian territories. But ministers are determined that Israelâs voice will be heard. "We probably would not have thought much about it if we hadnât found out the Palestinians were planning on sending thousands of demonstrators. We have to make sure that Israelâs voice is heard, that our position is clear." The Israeli Government has despatched a number of officials to brief journalists covering the hearings, while the Foreign Ministry has for its part already briefed the Israeli protesters who are to join demonstrations in The Hague. The rallies themselves are being overseen by a local Dutch organisation, The Centre for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI), in liaison with a number of Jewish and Israeli groups. Up to 1,000 protesters are expected to carry placards bearing pictures of each of the victims of suicide bombings - the reason, Israel says, that the barrier, which cuts into Palestinian territory, is necessary. The bus meanwhile, is being shipped from Israel by Zaka, an organisation that collects the remains of attack victims for burial. The wreckage has been granted a prime position outside the courthouse. Eleven people lost their lives when it was blown up on 29 January. "The bus will be very welcome indeed," says CIDI director Ronny Naftaniel." It will be a monument to evil." Great quote that! "But we have had difficulties getting the Palestinians here. Partly itâs a question of resources - we just donât have what the Israelis have," says Mr Decurealugo. Explosives are expensive ya know! "But there have also been issues over leaving the country and entering Europe which neither the Israeli authorities nor the Dutch have been very helpful about." In a separate exhibition near the courthouse, Stop The Wall is planning to display photos which illustrate how it is not just farmers who suffer as a result of the wall, but children who cannot reach their schools and sick people who cannot reach a hospital. Will they include pictures of the body parts of innocent Israeli children as well? "The wall has dramatically changed the lives of so many Palestinians - and thatâs what we are going to make clear in The Hague." Its that damn Reap what you Sow thing again..... Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-02-23 |
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