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November 28, 2008 Two recent news stories demonstrate that Europe is finally getting fed up with Israel’s endless war crimes ASSOCIATED PRESS, Nov. 13, 2008 - Switzerland has accused Israel of wantonly destroying Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem and near Ramallah in violation of the Geneva Conventions' rules on military occupation. The Swiss Foreign Ministry demanded that Israel immediately halt the demolitions. Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel said the demolitions violated the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which are regarded as the cornerstone of international law on the obligations of warring and occupying powers. The Fourth Convention states that occupying powers must respect the property of civilian populations under their control. Switzerland said it lodged a formal protest with the Israeli Foreign Ministry over recent demolitions, which now bring the tally to more than 600 destroyed homes in East Jerusalem and 1,600 in the West Bank since 2000. The Swiss statement, using unusually harsh language, said it "regards the recent incidents as violations of international humanitarian law" and notes that there was "no military need" involved. The Swiss statement referred to East Jerusalem an "integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory." Ha’aretz newspaper, Nov 15, 2008: Relations between Israel and Britain remained strained on Thursday over Downing Street's intention to label products manufactured in West Bank settlements. "This initiative is a serious and substantial problem… and is generating a sense of crisis," a senior Israeli diplomat in Jerusalem said. Meanwhile, British ambassador Tom Phillips was summoned by the Israeli foreign ministry to discuss fears by former Israel army officers that they will be arrested in the U.K. and stand trial for war crimes. Former IDF generals including the former Israeli army Chief of Staff have chosen not to travel to the U.K. out of fear they will be arrested. Adapted from: "Israel infuriated by U.K. plan to label West Bank produce", printed in the leading Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz on Nov. 15, 2008; and: "Switzerland says Israel breaking international law", printed by the Miami Herald on Nov. 13, 2008. For full texts, see:
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