PES – Excessive use of force making Gaza life unbearable
5 March 2008
More than 120 Palestinians, among them children and civilians, have been killed and around 300 injured in the Gaza strip in the last week. Life is becoming unbearable for the Gazawi people, with the latest round of violence and death adding to the misery and hardship caused by the blockade.
The PES condemns the disproportionate use of force during the military offensive conducted by the Israeli armed forces in the Gaza strip. The almost daily rocket attacks from Gaza, which are targeting innocent civilians in the South of Israel, are unacceptable and must stop.
This cycle of violence, with people suffering on both sides, must be ended with a mutual ceasefire. The PES calls the EU and the international community to get the Middle East Peace Process going once more, as it is the only path for a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the conflict.
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, declared “Where is the spirit of Annapolis? I hope that we will never witness such a terrible weekend of violence again. Negotiations between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas cannot be jeopardized as they are the key to solving the problems. During her visit this week, US secretary Condoleezza Rice must bring the two sides back to the negotiating table and fix a clear timetable for a peace deal in 2008”.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394,
