Israeli escalation and aggression must stop immediately

Media Alert

Canberra

10 July, 2014

Israeli escalation and aggression against Palestinian people must stop immediately

More than 160 military airstrikes, deliberately, targeting civilian areas have been launched by the Israeli government, killing 41 Palestinians and injuring more than 500 civilians. Among those killed, 13 were aged 16 or younger. The youngest victim, 18 months old Mohammed Malakiyeh, was killed along with his 27 years old mother, while the oldest victim, was 80 years old Naifeh Farjallah.

Israel’s systematic attacks on the 1.7 Palestinians imprisoned in the Gaza Strip and who are held there forcibly by Israel’s blockade are killing innocent people and threaten to further destabilize the already volatile situation.

The General Delegation of Palestine strongly condemns these immoral attacks on the people of the already besieged Gaza Strip who cannot escape to safety.

Israel’s deadly attacks are in grave breach of international law, including international humanitarian law and the relevant provisions regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Israel’s attacks are also in grave breach of the prohibition of reprisals and collective punishment against the civilian populations under occupation.

Israel’s continuing siege on the Gaza Strip and Israel’s refusal to stop building settlements on Palestinian land which has forced the collapse of peace talks, are the fundamental problems of creating a deep-seated atmosphere of mistrust and scepticism of Israel’s claim to desire peace.

The General Delegation of Palestine calls on the New Zealand Government, to demand Israel adhere to its legal obligations and responsibilities as they clearly exist within international law. New Zealand as part of the international community, must act in concert to protect the people of Gaza and uphold their humanity in the face of Israel’s horrific attacks.

The General Delegation of Palestine calls on the New Zealand Government to demand Israel cease its attacks on the people of Gaza who are held captive by Israel while also being subjected to Israel’s collective and retributive violence from which there is no hope of escape.

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