For several days, the Israeli army has intensified bombings and incursions into the Palestinian territory of the Gaza strip, causing the death of several Palestinian civilians, including children.
The World March of Women condemns the targeted killings and attacks against the besieged population of Gaza.
The World March of Women calls on the international community to press for the cessation of this wave of deadly violence, and for the immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli government moved one step further by murdering Ahmad Jabbari, the head of the armed wing of Hamas.
Today, the Israeli state has officially announced and resumed its military operations against Gaza, afflicting the people of Gaza, subject to an illegal and inhumane blockade since 2007, with new bombings, deaths and destruction. This leads to retaliations also affecting Israeli civilians.
We deplore all civilian casualties, but we consider that, by breaking the ceasefire and starting hostilities, the State of Israel bears responsibility.
No one has forgotten the massacres perpetrated by the same Israeli army during the operation “Cast Lead” in 2008-2009, resulting in the death of nearly 1,500 Palestinians and that the same excuses were put forward by the Israeli government to justify this murderous attack. It was, as today, the eve of elections in Israel. And as in 2008, the attacks of the Israeli army carry on today despite a cease-fire agreement achieved through Egyptian mediation, and respected by the Palestinians until the assassination of the head of Hamas.
Binyamin Netanyahu, who has announced his party’s alliance with Avigdor Lieberman’s, the leader of the far-right, is clearly using this attack against the Gaza Strip for electoral purposes.
Also, this government has systematically worked towards wrecking the Palestinian initiative at the UN. It asserts clearly and unequivocally its desire to overthrow the Palestinian Authority and even to wipe out its leadership if Palestine becomes a UN member.
Preserving the chances of peace goes hand in hand with the international community bringing Israel’s impunity to an end. This involves sanctions and not occupation premiums, as done by the European Union and the USA and its allies.
We are pursuing our work towards solidarity during the Social Forum Free Palestine, which will take place in Porto Alegre from November 28 to December 1, and on December 10 during our 24 hours of feminist action.
International Committee – World March of Women
European Young Feminists’ Camp 