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MAWO Public Statements |
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Stop Israeli military aggression in Gaza! Israel out of Gaza! Israel Out of Palestine! Self-determination for Palestinians! Self-determination for all oppressed nations! |
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Mobilization Against War and Occupation-MAWO
Statement Against the Israeli Siege on the Gaza Strip in Palestine
July 7, 2006 In the very early hours of June 28, 2006, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, with the mobilization of nearly 5,000 troops, hundreds of tanks and other military equipment. The Israeli operation targeted the main electric plant in Gaza, leaving over half of that area without electricity. Israel bombed some of the bridges that connected different areas of the Gaza strip, they re-occupied important areas in southern Palestinian territory, and they arrested many Palestinian government members and leaders. Israel is attempting to justify the brutal siege as a legitimate response to the widely publicized capture of one Israeli soldier by the Palestinian resistance forces on June 25th. At the same time, Israel conceals the fact that in June 2006 alone Israeli forces have murdered 52 Palestinians, including nine children. The United Nations is estimating that as a result of this siege up to 25,000 Palestinians could be forced from their homes in northern Gaza. These most recent attacks on the people of Palestine by Israel come as Israel is finding itself faced with the rising militancy of Palestinians who will not tolerate any longer the 58-year occupation of their land. The election of Hamas in January 2006 is a reflection of the atmosphere of militancy and resistance in Palestine against occupation. Israel recognizes that this new force within the Palestinian government will not capitulate to Israel’s demand for control as easily as others have. Israel also recognizes this more militant leadership as a dire threat to their ability to expand their control of Palestinian territory and to continue the exploitation of Palestinian people. Thus, these attacks on Gaza are an attempt to destroy the leadership in Palestine, in order to crush a leadership that has come closer than any other at this time to representing the legitimate and just demands of Palestinian people. These attacks have also revealed the true intentions of the Israeli government after the “historic pullout” from Gaza. In the fall of 2005, world headlines were filled with news taking note of Israel’s great “humanitarian” effort in the pullout. At the time, it was obvious that this pullout was only painting an attractive face on the occupation and covering for the more brutal attacks that would surely come. The Israeli government is playing a game of deception, convincing people in Israel that the Gaza “pullout” was a step forward for Palestinians, while simultaneously trying to convince Palestinians that this pullout would give them freedom. However, the current brutal and devastating attacks have revealed that the Gaza “pullout” was a farce. Israel only abandoned Gaza in order to be able control and dominate the area by better tactical military means, and more easily turn Gaza into a killing field of Palestinians with the hope of crushing the heroic Palestinian resistance. In Vancouver, Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) has taken a clear and firm position against this most recent illegal, inhuman, and vicious attack by the Zionist Apartheid State of Israel. We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the immediate end to state-terrorism and atrocious military actions by Israel. We stand behind and support the demands of the Palestinian people for self-determination, for an end to the 58-year occupation of historic Palestine, and for the right of return – al-Awda - for the millions of Palestinians refugees driven out of their homeland. We call on all peace-loving people and humanists to stand behind our sisters and brothers of Palestine as they wage a historic fight against the oppressive Apartheid State of Israel, and for their dignity, sovereignty and liberation. Stop Israeli military aggression in Gaza! Israel out of Gaza! Israel Out of Palestine! Self-determination for Palestinians! Self-determination for all oppressed nations! |
Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) |
