Please read Paul Brennan’s email below:
I’m am cautious of ‘yes’ – ‘no’ answers on an issue as complicated as this one.
Having spent the last 7 years working for Christian Aid I would say I was very much in agreement with Christian Aid’s approach to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories ie I’m oppossed to violence being used by either ‘side’.
Re your specific questions I would answer:
Do you oppose Israel’s violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and do you support Palestinians’ right to self-determination?
1. Yes
Will you oppose any upgrade of European agreements with Israel until Israel abides by the human rights clause in the EU Israel Association Agreement?
2. Unsure – don’t know enough, sorry.
Will you support mandatory EU wide labelling of agricultural goods and wine from Israel’s settlements?
3. Yes – if those settlements are in occupied Palestinian territory
Will you support a campaign to exclude all goods entering the EU from Israel’s settlements beyond the Green Line (until a peace deal is agreed)?
4. Only in relation to goods from the occupied territories and only if it was clear that this is what the Palestinians themselves wanted the EU to do.
What else would you try to do to try to achieve justice for the Palestinians?
Please note that I am totally supportive of the right of Israel to exist and i have worked on a kibbutz. I still think a peaceful two state solution can be achieved, which would necessitate Israel withdrawing from the occupied territories.