Press Release - 18.11.2012

At the time of drafting this message the death toll in Gaza had risen to 66. Those killed included 9 members of one family, with 4 children.  The oldest of which was only six years old.

LFPME condemns the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the rocket attacks into southern Israel.

Chairman of LFPME Simon Danczuk MP said;

"These actions will not advance security for either Gaza or Israel and can only undermine future peace negotiations. Hamas has to stop firing rockets into Israel, but it is quite clear that the Israeli response is massively disproportionate and will lead to the deaths of many innocent people."

"Gaza has been under siege for over five years, creating awful living conditions which have been condemned by the United Nations. It is clear that the underlying cause of this crisis is the total failure to hold accountable those who have subjected Gazans to collective punishment, in contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law."

"The blockade of Gaza, by Israel, has deprived 1.6 million Palestinians of fundamental rights."

Two years ago Ed Miliband MP said:

"The Palestinian people have the right to a state with internationally recognised borders. They have a right to a functioning economy. They have the right to be free and to pursue a better life for themselves and for their children. The sad truth is that today, with the blockade still in place on Gaza and in the aftermath of the appalling events on board the SS Mavi Marmara, we are a long way from securing that outcome."

He went on to say:

"The international community must act decisively not just to end the fighting but to give Gaza a viable and peaceful future.  This will be the only sure way to ensure peace for Israeli civilians."

to see the full statement click here

 ENDS

There are a number of Labour MPs who are available for interview and comment.  Contact details are below.

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East (LFPME) is a pressure group within the Labour movement that campaigns for peace and justice in the Middle East through the implementation of international law and respect for human rights.

Achieving justice for the Palestinians remains one of the most pressing international issues of our time. LFPME supports a viable two state solution that delivers justice and freedom for the Palestinian people as called for by the overwhelming international consensus and enshrined under international law and in UN resolutions.

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Contact:

Mark McDonald

 : (+44) 07966 422562

 : markpaul.mcdonald@gmail.com