Members of Not In My Name will hold a vigil at the Tribune Building, 435 North Michigan Avenue, at noon on Friday, October 12, 2001, to demonstrate their opposition to Israel's military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.

Not In My Name is particularly alarmed that the Israeli government continues to allow the creation of Jewish-only settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.  In the past week alone, Israeli settlers celebrated the identification of two new settlement areas in the West Bank near Kedumim and Beit Hagai.  The total population of Jewish settlers in Palestinian territories has grown to approximately 400,000, more than doubling since the start of the Oslo peace process that was supposed to return this land to Palestinian control.

"The settlements lead Israel further down a provocative and destructive path," said spokesperson Steven Feuerstein.  "Obviously, this is not the path to peace with the Palestinians.  This is not even the path agreed to by all parties in the Oslo Accords that specifically forbid new settlements.  The Sharon government has the power to choose which path Israel will follow."

Not In My Name is a Chicago-based Jewish peace organization advocating an end to the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and a just resolution to the Middle East conflict.  Non-Jews are welcome to both participate in the vigil and join Not In My Name.

Note: Not In My Name also welcomes to Chicago on October 15 and 16 Uri and Rachel Avnery, two of Israel's most prominent voices for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.