December 5, 2005
letter to be sent by member groups to the French Ambassador in their countries
Dear [ambassador’s name]
I am writing to seek an early meeting with you to discuss the construction of a light rail passenger transit system between Jerusalem and the settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev in East Jerusalem territories beyond the cease fine line of 1967. The construction and operation of this passenger transit system is to be undertaken by a French consortium, Connex-Alstom.
I am extremely concerned that such a construction project would seem to contradict the provisions of the 4th Geneva Convention and of the more recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding the annexation of territory occupied during military conflict and of the obligation faced by all governments to comply with international law. I am also concerned that such a project is expressly designed, at least on the part of Israel, to preclude crucial elements of a settlement to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians from ever being realised.
At the contract signing ceremony, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said “”I am convinced that this should be built and, furthermore, so should everything that strengthens Jerusalem, that builds, expands and strengthens it as the eternal capital of the Jews and the unified capital of the state of Israel.” (Je suis convaincu que ceci doit être fait, et d’ailleurs, tout ce qui sert à renforcer Jérusalem, à la construire, l’agrandir et la renforcer pour l’éternité en tant que capitale des Juifs et capitale unifiée de l’état d’Israël, doit être fait“.)
I hope you can agree that this merits serious attention and I look forward to your early reply.
Yours sincerely
Name
(name of your group), a group affiliated to European Jews for a Just Peace