CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC STUDIES

Brutal attacks in Gaza

31st December, 2008

CCIS condemns the deadly attacks in Gaza by the Israeli Defense forces in recent days that have led to the deaths of more than 300 people and left more than 1000 others injured, including women and children. The hospitals in the area are clearly unable to cope with such numbers particularly as they had limited supplies even before the attacks commenced.

Much as we disapprove of the use of rockets by Hamas and other militants against civilians in Israel, the Israeli raids will only worsen the conflict between them, in particular when the attacks had inflicted much greater and disproportionate casualties.

The Israeli attacks which have killed among others Tawfiq Jabber, the Gaza Chief of Police, and destroyed part of the Islamic University, are particularly reprehensible and cannot be justified.

The 60 year history of this dispute should have taught both sides that violence cannot succeed and that the use of force only makes matter much worse for the civilian populations.

These attacks have raised doubts on the commitments to peace of the Israeli government as they were timed to be closely linked to the pending elections in Israel and the end of the Bush Administration in the US, which during its term of office has agreed and allowed the Israelis to use deadly force frequently against the Palestinians.

We hope that the incoming Obama administration will take a more positive and effective stand in forcing the warring parties to the negotiation table to achieve a long term peace and the two state solution to this long running problem.

We commend the response of both the United Nations Security Council and the Secretary General in calling for an immediate end to the violence on both sides.

We support calls by all responsible leaders and institutions  on the Government of Israel to cease the attacks, to end the blockade of borders of Gaza and to allow the Palestinians the food, medicines, fuel and other critical supplies they need to respond to this crisis.

We also call on Hamas to end the hostilities against the people of Israel and to return to the peace negotiation table.

Maarof Salleh

Director General