U.S. Must Step in to End Israeli Assault on Gaza
June 29, 2006
The Muslim Public Affairs Council today called on the Bush administration to interfere immediately to halt Israeli troops' invasion of the Gaza Strip and subsequent capture of 64 Palestinian government officials. The military operation, which was launched late Tuesday in response to the capture of an Israeli soldier, included large numbers of troops and missiles which has destroyed three bridges and destroyed the only power plant, leaving nearly 60% of the Palestinian population without electricity or water access.
The disabling of Gaza's electric power plant raised the specter of a humanitarian crisis. The Palestinian government warned of "epidemics and health disasters" because of damaged water pipes to central Gaza and the lack of power to pump water. In a statement, Mr. Abbas said he considered "the aggression that targeted the civilian infrastructures as collective punishment and crimes against humanity."
Israel's assault came only hours after the announcement that the Palestinian national dialogue had ended with an agreement on the national accord document calling for the creation of a Palestinian state and recognizing Israel. The assault could effectively derail progress which was expected following a Palestinian referendum next month.
MPAC opposes the capture of the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit; however, the brute force adopted by Israeli forces to recover the soldier will only produce disproportionate suffering for the Palestinian people. The decision to invade the Gaza Strip makes a mockery out of last fall's withdrawal from this part of the occupied territories. The mass round-up of 64 Hamas officials -- including seven Cabinet ministers and 20 lawmakers in Parliament -- by Israeli forces sets an ominous tone ahead of the expected incursion into northern Gaza approved by Israeli defense minister Amir Peretz.
"In order to demonstrate our role as an even-handed broker, the United States must ramp up its diplomacy efforts in order to avoid further bloodshed and suffering," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "Our administration should condemn this act and call for restraint to enhance security for all parties and to avoid further escalation."
[CONTACT: Edina Lekovic, 213-383-3443, communications@mpac.org]
