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| Utter grief in Gaza |
What has been happening in Gaza over the last couple of weeks
has not just been unacceptable but it’s been totally immoral.
Needless to say that I condemn violence on BOTH sides, the unmistakable
truth is that Israel’s military response has been totally unjustified and does
not distinguish between age or gender In my opinion WE NEED TO STOP SELLING WEAPONS TO ISRAEL AND TO LIFT THE BLOCKADE in order to seek a political solution. THE VIOLENCE MUST STOP NOW!
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| Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood |
Dear First Minister,
I am sure you will share my deep sadness, concern and outrage at the situation that has been developing over recent weeks in the Gaza Strip. The violence is escalating. There have been atrocities. Yesterday's bombing of the UN school in Beit Hanoun is the fourth UN facility to be attacked.
This continued collective punishment is not only unjust and will lead to further resentment, frustration and hatred among the Palestinians, who are de facto, prisoners.
It is not in the interests of any people in any country for this conflict to continue and it will continue as there can be no military solution, despite the fact that military capabilities of the two sides are grossly unequal. Talks must take place and they will only come about with strong international pressure.
The Welsh Government has a duty to play its part. The people of Wales have many connections with Palestinians and many Welsh organisations and groups have a long term humanitarian interest in the region and wish to see a peaceful and just solution.
I urge you, on behalf of the people of Wales, to make strong representations to the Prime Minister to end the sale of weapons to Israel, to lift the blockade and to work for an immediate ceasefire. I would also urge you to issue a statement similar to the one issued last week by the Scottish Government.
Yours sincerely
Leanne Wood
In addition, Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams MP has written to the Speaker of the House of Commons requesting the recall of Parliament to allow MPs the opportunity to debate the worsening crisis in Gaza.
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| Plaid MP for Arfon Hywel Williams |
“The violence unleashed against the Palestinian people by the Israeli Government is tantamount to war crimes. Besieged by land, sea and air, the Palestinian people are being denied water, electricity and free movement whilst continually facing bombardment by Israeli forces. Israel’s complete disregard for human life is indefensible. People in Arfon are outraged by what is happening. MP’s should be given the opportunity to challenge the Government on this escalating crisis and as such, Parliament should be recalled.
Many of my constituents regard Israel’s actions as utterly disproportionate to the threat posed by Hamas. The indiscriminate and deliberate Israeli assault on innocent Palestinian civilians amounts to a blatant violation of international law and as such, firmly places the Israeli Government in danger of facing war crimes charges.
The increasing number of children being killed in this conflict raises very serious questions about Israel’s intentions. The scale of suffering in Gaza is too great and the loss of life, particularly amongst children, is wholly unacceptable. The degree of death and carnage inflicted on the Palestinian people is barbaric and will undoubtedly continue unless the West urgently rethinks its policy towards the crisis.”
It was only as recently as August 6th that Carwyn
issued the following statement. It would be safe to assume that he had waited for clearance from
his paymasters in London before speaking in the public domain.
“You will know that foreign affairs is not a matter devolved to Welsh Government, and therefore we do not have any direct role or responsibility in terms of a formal response to the conflict.
“However, I agree with Ed Miliband’s remarks on this matter. He is right to call for an immediate end to the hostilities that have accounted for the lives of so many civilians, including so many women and children. I too call for the UK Government to play more of a leading role.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization; their decision to fire rockets and build tunnels into Israel has been delivered at a huge financial and human cost and Israel has a right to protect itself from these attacks. However, it is difficult to justify the nature of the response to these provocations. There simply is no moral rationale to continue military action unchecked when civilians are suffering in the way, and in the numbers, we have seen in recent days.
“We know from the experiences on our own doorstep in Northern Ireland that violence only brings more violence, and it is a political, not a military solution, that will deliver a just and safe future for ordinary Israelis and Palestinians.”
PLEASE NOTE, there is no mention of selling weapons (or the stopping there of) to Israel in his statement. Labour while in government sold BILLIONS of pounds worth of weapons to Israel, the current government does the same. Equally there is also NO mention of lifting the BLOCKADE in his statement.
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| Where next? |
As of this morning a THREE day ceasefire is in place, lets hope for the people of Gaza that the end is near.
