[PRESS RELEASE]

April 11. 2002

Solidarity Message from Korean Groups for Peace

We, the Korean groups for peace, extend a strong support to the peace-loving activists in Israel !

Currently, the Middle East is mired in a vicious circle that is represented by bloody war and retaliation. Ever since Israel declared war against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the regions has been tainted by gun points and tragic events such as a series of suicidal bombings by youngster in their 20s.

The right wing and the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon are holding fast to their hard line position at the expense of priceless life and dignity of many of its civilians. We all know that this kind of vulnerable situation will sow the seed of retaliation, not hope in the minds of children as they have been exposed ceaselessly to gun points and deaths of their family members.

Fortunately, there are some conscientious Israelis who long for peace despite the intent of some in the Israeli government to seek violence until complete destruction of the other. We, the Korean groups for peace, are very much overwhelmed with joy and happiness by this.

On the very day when Israeli forces invaded Palestinian territory in retaliation for the suicidal bombings by the Palestinians, peace-loving activists of Israel, Palestine and Arab countries engaged in a collective march for peace amid heavy gun fires. Some 5 thousand marchers called for co-existence of Israel and Palestine based on equality and cease of war, invasion and war crimes. Particularly noticeable was the female marchers who stood in front of the group wearing white clothes that symbolize peace and nonviolence.

Currently, increasing number of conscientious Israeli soldiers serving in the Palestinian territories and some one thousand reserves and servicemen on active duty are rejecting to serve their military duties in the face of legal restrictions backed by some three thousand civilian supporters. So-called "Conscientious Movement to Reject Military Service"□is spreading fast in Israel despite unyielding stance by the Israeli military authority never to permit such actions.

In an effort to preserve the conscience of human beings that is under attack by brutal and bloody war and to put to an end the dominance over human beings, peace-loving Israelis are engaged in war for peace and they will continue to do so in the future. They will also continue with their fight to bring to a close the war that inflicts pain and suffering on the socially weak and that sow the seed of evil in the minds of people. We, the Korean groups for peace, extend full support to these activists and strongly believe that, although they might be outnumbered now, they will certainly become an unwavering spirit for peace in the future.

Although we reside in a remote place from the disputed area, we will do our best to establish a lasting peace in the Middle East by freeing the region of conflicts. We will take an active part in the movement for peace prompted by conscientious Israelis. We will also do our best to let the world know of their motivation.

Participating Organizations:

가톨릭평화지기 / 경제정의실천연합 / 녹색연합 / 민족화해자주통일협의회 / 민주노총 / 민주화를위한전국교수협의회 /비폭력평화연대 / 사회진보연대 / 새사회연대 / 인권과 평화를 위한 국제민주연대 / 인권실천시민연대 / 인권운동사랑방 / 전국학생회협의회 / 좋은 벗들 / 청년·학생 반전위원회 (녹색연합늘푸른청년모임·다함께·서울대교구가톨릭대학생연합회·원불교전국대학생연합회·전국가톨릭대학생대표자협의회·전국철학과학생회연대·천주교글라렛학생선교회·15기서울지역총학생회연합) / 참여연대 / 평화를만드는여성회 / 평화인권인대 / 한국노총  / 한국여성단체연합 / 한국여성민우회 / 한국여성의전화연합 / 한반도평화를위한시민네트워크 / 함께가는사람들 / 환경운동연합 / 민주노동당 서울시 지부 / 민주노동당 서울시 학생위원회 / 사회당