Christian Aid statement on escalation of violence in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory

Source: Christian Aid

William Bell, Christian Aid's Head of Middle East Policy & Advocacy, said: "We are gravely concerned by the mounting death toll across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

"There can be no justification for the deliberate killing, maiming and kidnapping of civilians, which is a crime under international law and for which the perpetrators should be held accountable. We unequivocally condemn the violence carried out in Israel over the weekend.

"Every war is a defeat. We urge both sides to abide by international law, to protect innocent civilians, and agree to an immediate de-escalation. The people in Gaza were already on their knees. Half of the population are children and have known nothing but blockade and conflict.

"Our civil society partners in Gaza have told us that hospitals are overwhelmed by casualties and shops are running out of goods such as bread and baby milk. They stand ready to respond with medical relief and community-led initiatives such as food, shelter, sanitation and protection. Given this context, we are very concerned by reports that some official donors are halting aid for Palestinian civilians, which will only deepen their suffering.

"As we pray for an end to the conflict, international leaders have a duty to act and help secure a lasting peace that achieves justice and dignity for all people who call IoPt their home, Palestinian and Israeli, Jewish and Arab.

"The cycle of violence will not end, and innocent people will continue to pay the price, until a new approach is taken, which treats Palestinians and Israelis as equals, and ends the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank."

Christian Aid has been working with the poorest and most vulnerable people in the Middle East since the early 1950s, when we provided humanitarian relief to Palestinian refugees.

Today, as Palestinians continue to experience exile, blockade, relentless spikes in violence and huge increases in land dispossession, we work with Palestinian and Israeli partners to protect human rights and promote resilience for Palestinian communities and civil society.

- All our work aims to support the foundations for a just, lasting peace for all.

- Protect, promote and defend human rights for the protection of Palestinians in the Middle East.

- Strengthen the resilience of individuals, communities and institutions, so they can respond when faced with threats to their lives, land and livelihoods.

- Deliver humanitarian responses that are accountable, impartial and strengthen local capacity.

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For more information see:
www.christianaid.org.uk/our-work/where-we-work/israel-and-occupied-palestinian-territory-iopt