|
Palestine House Condemns Israeli War Crimes in Gaza Strip
1 November,
2006
Palestine House views with the utmost
alarm Israel’s invasion of the northern Gaza Strip that began on the
morning of 1 November. Eyewitness reports indicate that Israeli troops
and tanks have occupied the town of Beit Hanoun and surrounding areas
under the cover of helicopter fire. According to media and human rights
organizations, six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli sniper fire
during the invasion: Fayiz Az Zwidy, aged 25; Ahmed Saadat, aged 23;
Hussam Abu Harbid, aged 27; Tariq Nasser, aged 24; Muhammad Al Masri,
aged 22; and Ahmed Udwan, aged 21. Tens of Palestinians have been
wounded and ambulances and medical personnel have been prevented from
reaching the area to remove the wounded to hospital.
Palestine House is extremely concerned
that this recent invasion foreshadows a further acceleration of Israeli
war crimes against the Palestinian civilian population. From 29
September 2000 to October 16 2006, 4266 Palestinians have been killed by
the Israeli military or settlers. This is equivalent to approximately
two Palestinians killed every single day of the last six years. The
deliberate targeting of the civilian population is a war crime and, over
the last two years, the Gaza Strip has borne the brunt of these attacks.
This assault on the civilian population
is further indication that the ‘redeployment’ of Israeli troops from the
Gaza Strip in September 2005 did not mean an end to Israeli occupation.
The Gaza Strip is only 45 km long and about 10-12 km wide, with over 1.4
million Palestinians crowded into shantytowns -- one of the most densely
populated places on earth. Over 80% of the Gazan population are refugees
denied the right to return to their homes and lands. A massive electric
fence surrounds the Strip and is guarded by the Israeli military. Israel
has continued to prevent movement in and out of the area while
subjecting its residents to repeated military incursions, shelling, and
house demolitions.
The closure of the Gaza Strip has led
humanitarian organizations to warn of food shortages and starvation.
According to World Bank figures, unemployment levels in the Gaza Strip
reached 40% in the first quarter of 2006 and over 80% of the population
is living below the poverty line. In the last six years, over 1400 Gazan
homes have been demolished by the Israeli military, leaving nearly
13,000 Palestinians homeless.
The Canadian government, however, not
only remains silent in the face of these attacks but openly aligns
itself with Israeli policies. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s comment
last month that support for Israel is "fundamental to what this nation
has always stood for" indicates that the Conservative government only
encourages and facilitates Israeli war crimes.
We must not allow Israel to continue to
act with impunity. Palestine House demands an immediate end to Canadian
government support for Israel’s apartheid policies in the West Bank and
Gaza Strip and urges the Canadian population to raise its collective
voice against these crimes.
|
