Halt the Massacre
By MIFTAH
December 29, 2008

Since Israel's latest attack on Gaza began on December 27, Israeli air strikes have killed at least 310 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and injured more than 1,600. The airstrikes, which are still continuing at press time, have targeted all areas of the Strip and have claimed the lives of mostly civilians, including women and children.

MIFTAH, the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, is appalled by the apparent disregard for human life displayed by Israel, regardless of any political considerations it may use to justify its offensive into Gaza. The death of scores of Palestinians over the course of a few hours is completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated by the world community, which continues to regard Israel as a democracy.

MIFTAH, along with all Palestinians, calls for an immediate end to this offensive, which can only be categorized as a massacre. It also demands holding Israel accountable for its blatant shunning of international norms, decency and respect for human rights.

We at MIFTAH feel that calm must be restored to the Gaza Strip, which first and foremost requires an end to the Israeli offensive and the reopening of its borders to allow in much needed humanitarian aid to the people. Israel has imposed this strangulating blockade on the people of Gaza with impunity, causing the ongoing suffering of 1.5 million people.

The slaughter of Palestinian civilians in Gaza must stop. MIFTAH therefore calls on the international community to immediately step in and bring a halt to the onslaught. If Israel continues to carry out such atrocities against an entire people, it should not be allowed to enjoy the status of a free and democratic country in the eyes of the world.

http://www.miftah.org