13 October 2023
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civilian population leave northern Gaza will lead to a civilian ‘calamity’ and has appealed for any such order to be rescinded.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.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview contact the press office on press@greenparty.org.uk or call 0203 691 9401
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