Responding to the latest developments in the Israel-Palestine
conflict, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said:
“The Green Party remains horrified by Hamas’s attacks on
civilians in Israel. Nothing can justify such brutal
violence. Hostages must be released immediately.
“These attacks cannot be used to justify disproportionate and
indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Gaza. It is deeply
worrying that Israeli government ministers and spokespeople are
justifying the denial of water, food and fuel to the Gaza Strip –
this is collective punishment and is in breach of international
law.
“Likewise, the UN has warned that Israel’s demand that the
civilian population leave northern Gaza will lead to a civilian
‘calamity’ and has appealed for any such order to be rescinded.
“There is every sign that many thousands of Palestinians will die
in Israel’s attacks and many more will be injured and displaced,
along with massive destruction of Gaza’s civilian
infrastructure. This is, again, contrary to international
humanitarian law and is unacceptable.
“The UK and the international community must urgently call for
both restraint and an end to violence. Destroying Gaza will
not end the Israel-Palestine conflict. It will perpetuate the
violence for years to come while risking a broader regional
conflict.
“To isolate the extremists and find lasting peace, the only
option is a political solution based on the end of occupation of
the Palestinian territories. The international community must now
turn this crisis into the moment where we insist upon a
meaningful political negotiation to bring about this
solution.
“The government’s decision to send military forces to the eastern
Mediterranean significantly escalates UK military involvement in
the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“It also risks the UK being dragged into a potential regional
conflict, as well as sending an implicit signal of condoning
Israel’s military approach in Gaza. This decision must be
urgently reconsidered.”
