PRESS RELEASE: MORE ATTACKS ON GAZA

13 Ramadhan 1435 / 11 July 2014

PRESS RELEASE: MORE ATTACKS ON GAZA

On the morning of 8 July 2014, Israel unleashed yet another sequel of attacks on Gaza – Operation Protective Edge. Like its predecessor, Operation Cast Lead (2008/2009) and Operation Pillar of Defence (2012), these acts of genocide are reminiscent of the manner in which the state of Israel was born.

Violent inhuman atrocities and a militaristic policy of ethnic cleansing of the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) was the backdrop to the declaration of the state of Israel on 14 May 1948. The IOF acquired 78% of Palestine, expelled 750,000 Palestinians and destroyed 400 Palestinian villages. A catastrophe of monumental proportions for the indigenous Palestinians – the Nakba.

The unabated aggression of the IOF continues today with further confiscation of Palestinian land for Jewish settlements and the occupation of Jerusalem. The entire population of Gaza is now terrorised by widespread, incessant and indiscriminate bombings. Whilst, in defense, the Palestinians are firing Qassam rockets on the cities of Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, totally unanticipated by the IOF. Though of varying proportions, both the Israeli and Palestinian people are paying a heavy price, as a consequence of the “occupation mind-set” of the Zionist leadership.

The Israeli government continues to invite world scorn in its despicable treatment of the Palestinians and this latest incident is another ghastly and cowardly stain on its appalling human rights record. The racist, immoral and illegitimate actions of Israel have turned it into a rogue nation and increased its political isolation in the global community.

Where super powers have failed the Palestinians, civil society has responded with vigour and outrage to say “Enough is Enough”. There is a worldwide campaign to put pressure on Israel to abide by international law.

VIVA PALESTINA MALAYSIA REAFFIRM OUR RESOLVE THAT SECURITY, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY IS LONG OVERDUE TO EVERY ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN.

IN OUR SINCERE AND EARNEST ENDEAVOUR TO REALISE THESE CHERISHED VALUES, WE HEREBY:
1.           URGE the world community and civil society to recognize that since the creation of Israel in 1948, the Palestinians have been forcibly and continually evicted from their homes and denied their right of a dignified return to their homeland.

2.           URGE the United Nations to rein in Israel to embrace the “Hudna” (Truce Plan) which stipulates her withdrawal to the border prior to June 1967 (UN Resolution 242/1967) and honour the right of return of the Palestinians as guaranteed by the UN (Resolution 194III/1949).

3.           URGE the United Nations to force Israel to end the occupation of Palestine, and value the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians and their peaceful co-existence.

4.           URGE world governments to offer humanitarian aid to the Palestinian government in a show of solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.

VIVA PALESTINA MALAYSIA  HEREBY:
1.     CONDEMN in the strongest possible term the latest campaign of aggression and genocide by Israel.

2.     URGE the United Nations to do everything possible to immediately end the wanton killings of innocent Palestinians and destruction of their infrastructure.

3.     SUPPORT any move by the Government of Malaysia to champion the Palestinian cause in their quest for freedom, justice and self-determination

4.     ENJOIN peace loving Malaysians to contribute generously to the rehabilitation and recovery of the Palestinian people and state

Dato Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
Chairman, Viva Palestina Malaysia