RESOLUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, LOS ANGELES CHAPTER OF

THE NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD

COMMENDING THE WORK OF MICHEL SHEHADEH,

WEST COAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE ADC

WHEREAS the National Lawyers Guild has adopted resolutions

(1) Demanding an immediate end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the June 4,1967 borders;

(2) Recognizing the Palestinian Right to Self Determination and the right of the Palestinian people to an independent Palestinian State; and

(3) Demanding the implementation of UN Resolution 194, which recognizes the right of return of refugees.

WHEREAS the National Lawyers Guild has entered findings

(4) That the Israeli military and police have inflicted indiscriminate attacks on the Palestinian civilian population as a form of collective punishment in violation of Article 50 of the Hague Regulations and Article 33 and of the Fourth Geneva Convention;

(5) That the excessive and indiscriminate force of the IDF and the Israeli police is not necessary to Israel's "legitimate self-defense" or "internal security" and thus violates Israel's 1952 mutual defense agreement with the United States ; and

(6) That the Israeli military and police have consistently used excessive force against the Palestinian population leading to large number of Palestinian casualties and permanent injuries as well as extensive and unnecessary property damage. Such excessive military actions violate international law including but not limited to Articles 2.3 and 2.4 of the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

WHEREAS the National Lawyers Guild has issued statements condemning the current Israeli invasion of the occupied territories and called upon the International community and the United Nations to immediately send an international force to protect Palestinians from the genocidal actions of the State of Israel.

WHEREAS the National Lawyers Guild condemns the killing of any innocent civilians in violation of international law.

WHEREAS the National Lawyers Guild has directed its local chapters to develop programs to implement and publicize the resolutions and findings described above; and

WHEREAS in furtherance of its commitment to develop programs to implement these principles, the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild has participated in coalitions with the Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter of the American Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the ADC's West Coast Regional Director, Michel Shehadeh;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild does hereby commend Michel Shehadeh for his leadership, honesty and commitment to implementing the goals and principles described in this resolution.

Adopted on April 2, 2002.

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