9-07-04
Barrett backs campaign against Israeli wall
John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has backed a major campaign, highlighting the devastating impact of the barrier being built by Israel on Palestinian land in the West Bank.
Mr Barrett joined Pink Floyd singer Roger Waters, London Mayor Ken Livingstone, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Menzies Campbell and others by signing a replica of Israel's dividing wall, which is having a destructive effect on the lives of millions of Palestinians.
The International Court of Justice is expected today to rule on the legality of the wall.
Speaking ahead of the judgement John Barrett, a member of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee, which produced a damning report on the problems being caused by the wall, said:
"The wall only serves to increase tensions in the Middle East by destroying the viability of a future Palestinian state. The UK Government has said the building of the wall on Palestinian land is unlawful and even the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that the routing of the barrier is illegal. Palestinian farmers have had land illegally seized and been cut off from their fields by the wall. With 1.7 million Palestinians dependent on food aid its time Israel stopped taking Palestinian land and started negotiating for a real and lasting peace."
Launching War on Want's The Writing's on the Wall campaign, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd added:
"The poverty inflicted by the wall
has been devastating for Palestinians. It has kept children
from their schools; the
sick from proper medical care and continues to destroy the
Palestinian economy. I fully support War on Want's campaign,
and hope that as many people as possible sign the wall;
and send a strong message to the UK government that immediate
action on the wall is essential."
Notes:
• War on Want's wall has been signed
so far by:
Roger Waters (Pink Floyd - wrote "The Wall"), Ken
Livingstone, Naomi Klein, Robin Cook, Tony Benn, Damien Rice
(singer), Shane McGowan (singer), Billy Bragg, Sian Evans
(Kosheen), Mark and Lard (DJs), Jerry Dammers (Specials),
Menzies Campbell MP, Glenda Jackson MP, Phil Jupitas (comedian),
Joan Ruddok MP, Neil Gerrard MP, Hywel Williams MP, Anne
Campbell MP, Alistair Carmichael MP, John Barrett MP, Jim
Sheridan MP, Jean Lambert MEP, Pete Wishart MP, Angus Robertson
MP, Jill Evans MEP, Elfyn Llwyd MP, Tony Lloyd MP, Brian
Iddon MP, Llew Smith MP, Paul Flynn MP.
• For more info go to www.waronwant.org/palestine
• Photos of all signatories are available from John Coventry, Media Officer at War on Want jcoventry@waronwant.org or 0207 620 1111 or 07905 397 084.
• The ICJ makes its ruling on Friday 9th July
• When finished the wall will cut off 470,00 Palestinians from their land. Qalqilya is completely surrounded by the wall, and its 46,000 inhabitants have to use one entry/exit gate, which is often closed for weeks at a time.
• Nick Dearden Senior Campaigner at War on Want is available for interview and comment on the ICJ ruling. Please call John Coventry on the numbers above.