Professors for a Strong Israel
Statement to the Press -
26 July 1995
Re:
Our finding that the Government's diplomatic steps are illegal
The Council of Professors for a Strong Israel has adopted the
conclusions of the group's legal committee. These are:
- The Government's actions in the framework of the Oslo process are
illegal in that they violate the Golan Heights Law (1981), the Criminal
Code (1977), the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Freedom, international
law, and more.
- The Government's actions are anti-democratic, because the majority
has no right to violate basic rights of the minority in an enlightened
state; furthermore, this Government was elected on the basis of an
entirely different platform and was given the trust of the voters with
a different course in mind.
- The Government's actions are even opposed to the Oslo agreement,
for the Declaration of Principles states that no steps are to be
taken in the interim phase which will affect the outcome of future
negotiations on the permanent settlement. By its actions, the
Government is making irreversible changes in the field, a clear
violation of the Declaration of Principles.
The Government is misleading the nation when it portrays the Oslo II
agreement as another interim agreement. In point of fact, Oslo II will
confront Israel with extremely serious problems, the solution to which
will involve much loss of life. Examples of such developments include
the introduction of a large and well-armed terrorist army, and the
handing over of State lands, water resources, and holy places.
In a democratic state, steps which bear such grave consequences for the
very existence of the state require a broad national consensus before
their execution.
According to a ``Motagim'' poll last week, 74% of the public demand
that execution of the next stage of the Oslo agreement await the decision
of the people.
Despite the illusion of ``the new Middle East'' which is much touted
in Israel, Professor Moshe Sharon, the chairman of our committee of
Orientalists, testifies that Arab politicians are still pushing
Israel to its old ``Auschwitz borders'' while their intellectuals
and artists are preparing the masses for a war of annihilation against Israel.
Based on the above, in the name of all who identify themselves with
Professors for a Strong Israel, we demand of the Government that it
respond favorably to the President's call for rethinking its steps.
While the Government of Israel is preparing elections for the Arabs
of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, we demand that it agree to elections for
the Jews of the Land of Israel as well.
The Government's illegal and anti-democratic policy
is dividing the nation, tearing apart the land, and endangering the
existence of the State of Israel.
Our group will act together with other bodies in order that these dangers
may be averted.
Professor Israel Hanukoglu, Chairman of PSI
Tel.: 03-964 0796
Dr. Ron Breiman, Spokesman
Tel.: 03-642 5540