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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest near the Israeli Embassy in London - Source: Reuters -
Related
Israeli tanks and infantry battled Hamas fighters in the Gaza
Strip in a ground offensive launched after eight days of deadly air
strikes failed to halt the Islamist group's rocket attacks on
Israel.
Following are comments from politicians and
commentators:
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana:
"We are ready to do everything to stop this situation which has
started by the breaking of the ceasefire by Hamas ... At the end of
the day this is going to be a tremendous suffering in people. Gaza
is the most populated place in the world; it's difficult to have a
military operation without casualties which hurt civilians. At the
same time it is true that Israel deserves to be living in peace
from the Hamas rockets."
Israeli President Shimon Peres:
"We don't intend neither to occupy Gaza nor to crush Hamas, but to
crush terror. And Hamas needs a real and serious lesson. They are
now getting it ... We shall not accept the idea that Hamas will
continue to fire and we shall declare a ceasefire. It does not make
any sense."
Hamas official Ismail Radwan:
"We have prepared the statement of victory for you (Palestinians)
... and you will see it soon." Addressing Israeli soldiers, he
said: "Gaza will not be a picnic. Gaza will be a graveyard for
you."
US State Department spokesman Sean Mccormack
The US State Department has told Israel's government that military
action must be "mindful of the potential consequences to
civilians". Washington is "deeply concerned about the humanitarian
situation" in Gaza, but said Hamas holds the people of Gaza
hostage. "It is obvious that that ceasefire should take place as
soon as possible, but we need a ceasefire that is durable,
sustainable, and not time limited."
Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani:
"The Zionists faced the powerful resistance of the zealous
Palestinians ... the Zionists should know that Gaza will become
their graveyard."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon:
Ban told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert by telephone of his
"extreme concerns and disappointment", and asked that Israel ensure
the safety of civilians and allow humanitarian assistance to reach
those in need. He urged regional and international partners to
"exert all possible influence to bring about an immediate end to
the bloodshed and suffering."
Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade, President Of The
Organisation Of The Islamic Conference (OCI):
"Senegal and the OCI demands Israel withdraws immediately and
unconditionally from Palestinian territory to put an end to this
invasion and stop the aerial bombardments, which nothing
justifies."
Pope Benedict:
"The dramatic news reaching us from Gaza shows how the refusal to
enter into dialogue leads to a situation of inexplicable suffering
for the population, once again victims of hatred and war ... War
and hatred are not the solution to problems."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman:
"China is seriously concerned with the escalating situation in the
Gaza area," spokesman Qin Gang said. China urges the parties to
stop military action and armed conflict immediately to prevent
civilian casualties and take steps to ease humanitarian
difficulties in Gaza, Xinhua news agency said.
Italian Foreign Ministry:
"The Italian government, which even recently supported Israel's
right to self-defence... makes a heartfelt appeal to our Israeli
friends so that everything possible is done to ensure the
protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian
aid."
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown:
"What we've got to do ... is work harder than we've done for an
immediate ceasefire. The Israelis must have some assurance that
there are no rocket attacks coming into Israel."
What do you think about the rising tensions in Gaza? Share your view on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentfarhatmirza said on 2009-01-21 @ 09:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
Dear Sir/Madam, If and when the information is declassified, it may come out that the connection between 'shoe-treatment' of G.Bush in Iraq and, the carnage if not the genocide that followed in Ghaza, was not, after all, the figment of ones imagination. Regards, fjm
sheildzee said on 2009-01-20 @ 19:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
Please report accurately. Hamas did not "seize control of Gaza from Abbas's Fatah forces in 2007 ...". You rightly state that Hamas won the general election so Hamas did not "seize" anything. Your point about Fatah is superfluous anyway so just stick to the facts - " Hamas was elected by the Palestinian people in democratic elections held in 2006." That is the truth. The power struggle that followed the democratic election of Hama is another issue entirely.
flyer said on 2009-01-19 @ 16:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Whew, a ceasefire of sorts - obviously the protest of the southland cafe owner against Israeli women has brought everyone to the negotiating table - AS IF.....
farhatmirza said on 2009-01-19 @ 11:42 NZDT: Report abusive post
Dear Sir/Madam, To say that Israel funded Hamas looks improbable, if not ridiculous. However, I won't be surprised if Hamas took a cue of two from Hagana, Irgun, or Lehi. Regards, fjm
philipmcc said on 2009-01-19 @ 10:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
I feel sad enough about the Gaza protagonists each claiming that they are the 'good guys' and the others are the 'bad guys', and the suffering that creates. But as I read these comments I see the same human tendency being acted out. So many claim that their view is 'right' and the others are 'wrong'. This stance is a major factor in all conflict. While that fear-based tendency persists we will go on having wars like Gaza.