tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497291.post1020365074484528597..comments2024-02-25T19:44:55.771+11:00Comments on arch-peace news and articles: Letter to Australian Prime Minister: call for an immediate ceasefire in PalestineBeatriz Maturanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06476527926692961102noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497291.post-1515355489798580212009-01-14T10:06:00.000+11:002009-01-14T10:06:00.000+11:00More than 600 people have been killed as a result ...More than 600 people have been killed as a result of the war on Palestine. The city's infrastructure is being destroyed and this way further condemning Palestinians to an even harsher future. Architects for Peace focuses on prevention of man-made disasters and does take a stance in situations such as: killing of civilians, illegal land occupation, systematic destruction of infrastructure (schools, hospitals, roads/bridges, destruction of housing, government buildings and places of worship). It is for this reason that we supports an immediate ceasefire. Arch-peace also believes that we have a social responsibility and that to exercise this responsibility we need to be engaged, motivated to stand for peace and condemn the immorality of war, open to question and to extend our knowledge. <BR/><BR/>Amidst media oversimplifications regarding the current situation between Palestine and Israel—contrasted with the complexity of a long history leading to this point—it is too easy to shut ourselves off and take on a “neutral” position, and as a result remain passive when witnessing atrocities such as these. As for you, I am also bombarded with messages that make us perceive the killing of civilians and destruction of cities as unavoidable, but is it so?<BR/><BR/>Back to the notion of questioning and extending our knowledge, it is important to place the current war in context. I found the following article, written by Sam Bahour (management consultant and entrepreneur living in Ramallah, co-editor of “Homeland: Oral History of Palestine and Palestinians”) very informative. In an easy to read and well organised manner, Bahour places together all these pieces of information that we have received over the years, which are not mentioned when justifying the war and the killing of civilians. Find this article here: http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=31232 <BR/><BR/>We are inviting our members to join the activities against the war and to sign petitions condemning Israel’s latest attack. Melbourne’s members to join us for this Sunday’s rally (find more: http://www.butterpaper.com/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=1327&Focus=3748#Comment_3748 ). <BR/><BR/>We would also like to encourage you to discuss your views, so please do not hesitate to comment (we do not censor). <BR/><BR/>Beatriz C. Maturana<BR/>Architects for Peace, PresidentBeatriz Maturanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06476527926692961102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497291.post-75344136777800190182009-01-13T14:21:00.000+11:002009-01-13T14:21:00.000+11:00Please sign Amnesty International (Australia)'s pe...Please sign Amnesty International (Australia)'s petition to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd: http://www.amnesty.org.au/centre/action/20079/<BR/><BR/>Read Amnesty International report: Time running out for civilians in Gaza (http://www.amnesty.org.au/images/uploads/action/Report-Gaza.pdf)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com