Issued: 07 July 2014
The Media Review Network South Africa (MRN), the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) and Al Quds Foundation are carefully monitoring the horrific events unfolding in Palestine. As we mourn the daily loss of all innocent life be they Palestinian or Israeli, we find nothing more reprehensible than to utilise the tragedy of the loss of life to fuel the Israeli war machine.
As per the United Nations Refugee and Works Agency, between the 13th June to the 1st July 2014, Israel has murdered seven Palestinians and injured over 200. This includes the murder of 16 year old, Muhammad Abu Khdeir, which was an act of revenge by Israeli settler terrorists.
Whilst we witness the outpouring of grief because of the daily human tragedy unfolding in Palestine, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to escalate violence rather than contain a volatile situation by responding within the framework of the law.
The depth of this hypocrisy is no more evident than Netanyahu’s promise that the killers of Muhammad Abu Khdeir would be brought to justice (thereby implying that the justice system will apply), whereas the response to the death of the 3 teenagers was the unleashing of a full military attack against the civilian population of Gaza, resulting in death, suffering, and trauma of the collective innocent population.
To enhance this illegal and brutal assault, Netanyahu strategically inflamed the emotions of the Israeli population by withholding information that the suspects responsible for the 3 teenagers’ death at the time of their “disappearance” had been apprehended and that the fate of the 3 teenagers was known.
With the result Gaza was attacked and military operations including unlawful use of force, arbitrary arrests, and illegal home demolitions were carried out in the West Bank. During raids on Palestinian towns, refugee camps and villages this week, Israeli forces have shot and killed at least seven Palestinians and arrested and detained at least 150 more without charge.
Zionist settler mobs have been given free reign with Israeli police backing as they attack refugee camps and villages where children are abducted and brutally beaten resulting in the Palestinian death toll rising daily.
The unleashing of collective punishment on the occupied Palestinian nation must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
The recent powder keg erupting in the region must be seen in relation to two significant events. Firstly, the collapse of the peace talks initiated by John Kerry, US Secretary of State. Secondly, the establishment of the unity government in Palestine. Accusing Hamas for the unfortunate kidnappings without any evidence makes these two events even more crucial.
We recognize the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-defense in the face of unfettered Israeli aggression. We condemn media spin doctoring, attempting to paint the picture of two equal sides. The stark reality is that Israel is a nuclear power and the occupier, and the Palestinians are the occupied.
We call on the international community to ensure the Apartheid Zionist government respect all international laws pertaining to occupied peoples. In addition, political and economic pressures be applied so that Israeli aggression and collective punishment is halted with immediate effect. More critically that Justice is applied to the occupied people of Palestine.
For more information contact:
Ibrahim Vawda, Senior Researcher: Media Review Network
Tel No (O): 011 837 3220
Email: webmaster@mediareviewnet.com
Nabeweya Malick, Media Spokesperson: Muslim Judicial Council
Cell No: 083 408 1157
Email: pro@mjc.org.za
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