York Green Party statement on Gaza

Greens say: Gaza bombing must stop

Also, a protest arranged by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign will take place on Saturday January 3rd at 1pm in St Sampson's Square.

Greens have called for an immediate and unconditional stop to Israel's bombing of the Gaza strip, which has so far killed well over 300 people, around 10% of whom are believed to be children.

This is in response to rocket attacks on Israeli territory launched from the Gaza strip that have killed 4 people since the recent ceasefire broke down and 23 people in the last eight years.

Andy Chase, Green Parliamentary Candidate for York Central, said: "Rocket attacks from Gaza must cease, though the situation is complicated because many are carried out by militants who are not under the effective control of the Palestinian authorities. However, the Israeli offensive has killed over ten times as many people as all of these attacks in a matter of days. The international community must tell Israel that this is not acceptable. Policies of 'collective punishment' are the best way of creating more hatred and extremism."

He continued: "Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza strip in 2007, since when there have been terrifying increases in poverty in the territory. In recent months, this has become more severe as even essential supplies of food and medicine have experienced difficulties in getting through. Unemployment is at 45% and there are serious concerns about proper nutrition and food security for many people. The way to stop rocket attacks is by giving people in Gaza a viable economic and political future and ending the blockade forthwith."

Green Party leader and Member of the European Parliament, Caroline Lucas, said, "The Israeli action is clearly counterproductive to the prospects for peace. The population of Gaza is already suffering from the Israeli blockade, which has accelerated their decline into even greater hunger and poverty. Casualties among the civilian population only serve to make people more angry and sow the seeds for further violence."