Russell Tribunal letter to Platini
Dear Mr. Platini,
The following letter was printed in the UK’s Guardian newspaper on 6 October 2011 and concludes with a specific request to UEFA. The authors are Supporters of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine. Their eminence is recognised worldwide.
Israel’s stance in the community of nations
Those who lead European football must respond to an appeal from Palestinians dismayed at the prospect of Israel hosting Uefa’s under-21 tournament in 2013. A state that uses military might to hold sway over land it illegally occupies and exploits, flouts international law and ignores UN resolutions surely forfeits the right to be treated as a member of the community of nations. But western powers continue to embrace Israel as an ally.
During the 2011 under-21 tournament in Denmark in June, 42 Gazan football clubs, backed by many sporting bodies, wrote to UEFA president Michel Platini calling on his organisation not “to reward Israel for its violent repression of Palestinian rights”. We ask UEFA to respond positively to this plea.
Stephane Hessel diplomat
Ken Loach filmmaker
Michael Mansfield barrister
Miriam Margolyes actor
Nurit Peled Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought joint winner 2001
John Pilger journalist and filmmaker,
Ahdaf Soueif novelist and political and cultural commentator
Jean Ziegler vice-president, advisory committee of the UN human rights council
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/05/israel-palestinians allows direct access to the letter. The June 2011 letter from 42 Gazan football clubs is attached for reference.
I am forwarding this to you on their behalf and request your earliest consideration and response. I will then forward your response as appropriate.
Yours sincerely,
Geoffrey R Lee, member of the Red Card Israel Apartheid Campaign,
