Common Sense ABC Action

Press Statement from Lord Ahmed

Thursday 15th January

House of Lords

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham has called on the UK Government to unequivocally condemn the Israeli massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza.

He has tabled a question in the House of Lords asking Her Majesty’s Government to provide statistical information concerning the number of British citizens who are part of the Israeli Defence Force, and therefore may be involved in the war crimes that are being committed on a daily basis in Gaza.

He said that “Artillery and air bombardment on Gaza has intensified. UN buildings in Gaza have been attacked and a warehouse in the compound is on fire. UN officials have clearly identified that white phosphorous has been used against their building, which has consequently affected the 700 people who were seeking refuge there.”

Lord Ahmed said that “Israelis have also bombed a building housing the media. Three people working for Abu Dhabi TV are reported to have been injured. Tal el Hawa hospital, that is treating 500 people, has also been attacked and fuel around the hospital has been hit causing detrimental fires. Over a dozen mosques have been bombed. A mosque has been hit this morning in Rafah.”

He stated that “the total number of Palestinians killed since December 27 when Israel began bombing Gaza stands at around 1055 (at least 330 are children) and 4860 injured. 13 health personnel have been killed and 22 health personnel have been injured while on duty. On 13 January, missiles destroyed the PHC clinic (for maternal and child health) of the Near East Council of Churches in Al-Shuja’ia area.”

“The Ministry of Health information centre in Gaza reports that since 27 December, 2008: 15 ambulances have been damaged; 13 health facilities have been damaged through direct or indirect shelling.”

“Clearly Israel has been using white phosphorous bombs on civilian areas, which directly contravenes International Law and Geneva Conventions. Therefore the UN must take immediate action and call for a UN led investigation into this massacre.”

+ recent press items

Observer, 11th January
Ed Husain - 'How can this happen before our eyes?'