Protecting Civilians  A Cornerstone of Middle East Peace
Published: 28 May 2004  Civilians are paying a high price for
the escalating violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian
Territories. Hundreds of innocent lives are being lost and
hundreds of thousands deprived of theeir basic rights as the
security situation deteriorates. A solution to the conflict can
inly lie in a political process. In the meantime, civilians
caught up in armed conflict are guaranteed the right to
protection under international humantarian law. They cannot
afford to wait for a negotiated settlement. Moreover, their
protection will stregthen the path to peace and help to reduce
poverty.