AKEL ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN GAZA
Statement of Georgios Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Press Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25th July 2014, Nicosia
A few hours after the decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council ordering an investigation against the state of Israel on the question of the commitment of war crimes, Israel’s military forces bombed a UN shelter in Gaza, killing tens of Palestinian civilians and injuring hundreds of others.
It is evident that as long as the international community delays its diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the start of a dialogue for a just solution of the Palestinian issue, so will the crimes of the Israeli army and state terrorism against the Palestinian people continue. On the other hand, the situation will exacerbate, resulting in extremist elements throughout the region seeking to exploit the conditions and gain further support.
We once again call on the Cyprus government to stop backing the international tolerance shown and raise the matter in the European Union. Only through a proactive stance based on principles would the public pronouncements about Cyprus’ role as a bridge of peace in the region have any meaning.
Unless that is, the government’s doctrine that “we belong to the West” is translated by the government and ruling forces as tolerance of the violation of International Law, war and crimes committed against humanity.
