Lanterna Rally

Author: Mark O'Doherty

Publisher:

Published: 2021-05-05

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 9781667116808

As the death toll from the most serious conflict between Israel and Palestine for nine years mounts, international leaders are calling for restraint amid fears of a full-scale war. Gaza's death toll has risen 53, including 14 children, according to the health ministry. More than 300 people have been wounded. Six Israeli civilians, including two children have been killed by rocket fire and dozens wounded. Towns in Israel with mixed Jewish and Arab populations have also experienced violent clashes. In the UK, PM Boris Johnson said: "The UK is deeply concerned by the growing violence and civilian casualties and we want to see an urgent de-escalation of tensions." In parliament, the Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said Israel had an absolute legitimate right of self-defence but its actions must be proportionate, cautious and dedicated to avoiding civilian casualties. Urging an end to the cycle of violence and any kind of provocation, he described Hamas attacks on Israel as "acts of terrorism", adding "they must permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel". The UK government was in contact with both Israeli and Palestinian ministers in an attempt to calm the crisis, he said. The MP Richard Graham said the Israeli military had "effectively attacked the al-Aqsa mosque, the centre of Islamic worship in Jerusalem for hundreds of years". Although the Hamas attacks were unacceptable, "a major cause of the increased discontent was the number of illegal convictions from East Jerusalem", he said. Tor Wennesland, the UN's Middle East envoy, said leaders on all sides must "take the responsibility of de-escalation". Before briefing the 15 members of the UN security council on the crisis, Tor Wennesland warned: "The cost of war in Gaza is devastating and is being paid by ordinary people. Stop the fire immediately. We're escalating towards a full-scale war." "Right now, it's critical that the Biden administration engage proactively in securing an immediate ceasefire and pushing all sides to de-escalate," the liberal Jewish American lobby, J Street, said in a statement. Therefore it is imperative that US President Joe Biden and the International Community engage proactively in securing an immediate ceasefire and push all sides to de-escalate; so that rule of law, stability and peace can be restored in the region. Otherwise an intervention from the NGO Community will be necessary, to avoid a power vacuum and a potential civil war in Israel-Palestine.