German Holocaust Survivor Urges Int'l Pressure On Zionist Regime

Berlin, Feb 29, IRNA -- A prominent German Holocaust survivor on Tuesday called for stepped up international pressure on the Zionist regime to end its occupation policies in the Palestinian-run territories. Talking to the Leipzig-based monthly magazine Leipzigs Neue, German Jewish human rights lawyer Felicia Langer urged mounting 'international solidarity' for the Palestinian people faced with what she termed 'the longest ever occupation in contemporary history.' 'One has to put pressure on Israel because silence kills. In terms of international law, Palestinians have the right to self-determination and therefore, this pressure (on Israel) is justified and legitimate,' according to Langer who labeled Palestinians a 'heroic nation.' The recipient of Germany's highest medal of honor for her human rights work, Langer has in the past reiterated the need to criticize Israel for its inhuman and anti-peace policies, saying she saw this as her duty as 'a Jew, Israeli and also human being.' Langer has also time and again voiced empathy with the suffering of Palestinian people, especially women and children. A frequent and outspoken critic of the Zionist regime, Langer stressed the need to act against Israeli 'injustice.' Langer who has repeatedly faced death threats over her anti-Israel stance, highlighted the problem of Israeli torture of Palestinian prisoners as well as the imprisonment of Palestinian children. Known for her defense of Palestinians charged with political violations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Langer has also authored several books on Israeli human rights violations./end