United Civilians for Peace

Research: Dozens of Dutch companies support or facilitate Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories



Dutch NGO platform United Civilians for Peace (UCP) today publishes a research about “Dutch economic links in support of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and/or Syrian territories”. This research reveals that dozens of Dutch companies through their activities support or facilitate the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories. The investigation identified at least 35 Dutch companies that maintain direct or indirect relations with the occupation of Palestinian and/or Syrian territories: 21 companies with headquarters in the Netherlands and 14 Dutch subsidiaries of Israeli companies. Two of these companies have direct investments in settlements, namely Soda-Club International and Unilever. 

Dutch company involved in construction of the Wall



Research undertaken by United Civilians for Peace, a Dutch NGO-platform dedicated to promoting justice and peace in Palestine and Israel, has revealed that Dutch company Lima Holding BV, inSpijkenisse, is involved in the construction of the illegal Wall that Israel is building in the occupied West Bank. Lima Holding, which operates in Israel under the Riwal brand name, provides mobile cranes for putting into place the up to 9-metres high concrete elements that make up the Wall. The exact scope and nature of the company’s involvement in the construction of the Wall is yet to be determined. 

European Delegation calls on European Union and EU Member States to hold Israel accountable



After visiting Israel and Palestine for five days and meeting with numerous civil society representatives on both sides, as well as several parliamentarians, a European Delegation of former ministers from The Netherlands, Ireland and Germany and a high-ranking former ambassador from France calls on the European Union and EU Member State officials and institutions dealing with Israel and Palestine, in particular their own governments, to act decisively and hold Israel to account for its ongoing violations of International Law. The delegation paid a fact finding visit to Israel and Palestine from 22 to 28 August and was lead by former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Andreas van Agt. 

Delegation headed by former Dutch prime minister Van Agt witness restrictions on movement



From 22 to 28 August a delegation of former European politicians and representatives of civil society organisations will travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The delegation is headed by Prof. Andreas van Agt, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The delegation members have planned a 6-day tour through Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The delegation will observe the developments on the ground and the impact of the disengagement on the human rights situation and the prospects for conflict resolution. Special attention will be paid to infringements on the freedom of movement of the Palestinians. 

Former Dutch Prime Minister heads visit of former European politicians to Israel and Palestine



From 22 to 28 August a delegation of former European politicians and representatives of civil society organisations will travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The delegation is headed by Prof. Andreas van Agt, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The delegation members have planned a 6-day tour through Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The delegation will observe the developments on the ground and the impact of the disengagement on the human rights situation and the prospects for conflict resolution. Special attention will be paid to infringements on the freedom of movement of the Palestinians. 

Popular hearing: �The Wall in Palestine: illegality and consequences"



Before the official hearings start on Monday, this weekend, on Saturday, 21 February, PENGON/Anti Apartheid Wall Campaign, the Netherlands Stop the Wall Coalition and United Civilians for Peace organise a symposium on the legal aspects and humanitarian consequences of the Wall. The program includes illustrations of the route of the wall; discussions by legal experts, Palestinian farmers, a photo exhibition, documentaries. Journalists and politicians have been invited. Speakers include Azmi Bishara, Jamal Juma’, legal expert Paul de Waart, B’Tselem’s Yehezkel Lein, Victor de Currea-Lugo and others. 

Imprisoned behind barbed wire: "Without European decisiveness no perspective on peace in the Middle East"

While Israeli and Palestinian negotiators discuss the road map to peace and while Palestinian groups maintain a ceasefire, a delegation of nine prominent Dutch women visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (July 6 - 12, 2003). The delegation was shocked to observe that while presently attempts are made to have the road map implemented, Israel is bringing about an opposite reality on the ground.