EU fails to agree on call for ‘humanitarian pause’ to allow aid into Gaza

 

Palestinian killed by Israel so far reached 5000

EU fails to agree on call for ‘humanitarian pause’ to allow aid into Gaza

Josep Borrell says there is a ‘basic consensus’ but no unanimity.

BY JACOPO BARIGAZZI OCTOBER 23, 2023 

LUXEMBOURG — The European Union’s foreign ministers failed to reach an agreement at a meeting on Monday on recommending a “humanitarian pause” to allow aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza as Israel continues its airstrikes on the besieged territory.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” last week but EU ministers have discussed what foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called a less ambitious “humanitarian pause.” Borrell stressed that while the EU cannot “decree” a pause, it can send the message that it is in favor of one.

While there is a “basic consensus,” several diplomats, who were granted anonymity to speak candidly about the meeting like others quoted in this story, stressed there is not the required unanimity. The ministers have not yet voted, Borrell said.

EU ambassadors discussed a draft text on the humanitarian pause on Monday afternoon that could be added to the final text that leaders will endorse at the EU summit later this week, but they could not find a compromise even though a majority was in favor, according to two diplomats familiar with the discussion. An agreement around the language could come at the next meeting of ambassadors on Wednesday, said one of the diplomats.

So far, EU leaders have emphasized the right of Israel of self-defense in line with international law, as well as the need for a two-state solution and protecting civilians, but without calling for an end or pause to hostilities.

The move to endorse a “humanitarian pause” reflected increasing alarm within the EU about Palestinian civilians in Gaza after two weeks of bombardment by Israel in the wake of an attack by Hamas that killed 1,400 people. According to Gaza’s Hamas-led Health Ministry, more than 5,000 Palestinians have died from Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza.

Before the Israel-Hamas war, more than 60 percent of Palestinians in Gaza relied on international aid, according to the UN, and more than 1.4 million Palestinians have been displaced since the start of the war.

Israel imposed a “complete siege” on Gaza after the start of its war with Hamas, cutting off power, water and fuel to the 2.2. million inhabitants of the blockaded territory, of which Israel has controlled the air, land and sea borders since 2007, strictly limiting the movement of goods and people. The ongoing blockade has pushed Palestinians in Gaza to the brink of starvation, Cindy McCain, executive director of the U.N.’s World Food Program, told POLITICO on Sunday.

A lot more aid needs to be delivered, she said.

Josep Borrell, High Representative
of the European Union for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy | Khaled Desouki/AFP
via Getty images

So far, EU leaders have emphasized the right of Israel of self-defense in line with international law, as well as the need for a two-state solution and protecting civilians, but without calling for an end or pause to hostilities.

Borrell and the diplomats explained it will be up to EU leaders gathering later this week to define a common line.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, Borrell explained the difference between a ceasefire and a pause. A pause means “that something ceases temporarily, but then continues, so of course it’s a less ambitious objective than a ceasefire, which means a full agreement between the parties,” he said.  

At the start of the meeting many countries — including the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Luxembourg — called for an initiative to allow aid to reach Palestinians trapped in Gaza with varying language ranging from “humanitarian pause” to “ceasefire” or “humanitarian corridors.” 

Others sounded more skeptical: “We can’t stem the humanitarian disaster if terrorism from Gaza continues. Therefore, fighting terrorism is essential,” the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, told reporters.

Two diplomats said the mixed language of humanitarian pause, humanitarian ceasefire and ceasefire left the group without a clear decision. A third diplomat was skeptical the group would achieve unanimity, pointing to countries like Austria which don’t seem convinced about speaking out in favor of a humanitarian pause.

Humanitarian aid has started to reach Gaza but it’s not enough, Borrell told reporters before the meeting in Luxembourg. “The first day, 20 trucks were allowed to come in — 20. Yesterday, there were about 20 more. But in normal times, without the war, 100 trucks entered into Gaza every day. So, it is clear that 20 [trucks], it is not enough,” he said. 

Both sides, Hamas and Israel, need to agree on a pause, and there is an obligation by both parties to ensure aid reaches Palestinians, Janez Lenarčič, the European commissioner for crisis management, who was called to the meeting by ministers, told POLITICO.

“All involved are under international legal obligations, to provide for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid all involved,” he said.

☝

Online Safety Bill and Anti-Terror Bill: law making to end democracy and fundamental rights

 

Illustration: Barry Downard

Lawyers warn of death knell for internet, freedom of expression by online safety bill

23 October 2023 Daily Mirror LK

·The petitioners warned that the Bill provides very little online safety but is drafted to stop people from expressing ideas and views on the internet and social media

·They showed how the Bill allows a five-member Commission to take down within 24 hours any post that they consider to be a false statement and warned that allowing five people who are not even part of the judiciary to decide on what is true or false is a very dangerous precedent that is aimed at drastically controlling millions of online users from sharing their ideas and views

·According to the Bill, the refusal to take down a post could result in a jail term imposed by a Magistrate not only on the individual but also on the service provider

·If the Bill goes through, Sri Lanka could lose Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and even essential services such as Google search, Google Maps and G-mail

·The Bill has disregarded that many of the services used by millions of Sri Lankans are provided by international companies based outside of Sri Lanka who would rather stop the service and leave Sri Lanka rather than being subjected to the risks of this kind of high-handed governmental actions

·The lawyers warned that the Bill presented by the Minister of Public Security will be the death knell not only of freedom of expression but also of all businesses that operate on or use online services. They warned that this will give a very bad impression to the country struggling to attract foreign investors

The Bar Association, media institutions, advocacy groups, and more than 40 other petitioners challenged the Online Safety Bill in a two-day hearing before the Supreme Court judges Priyantha Jayawardhene, Achala Wengappuli, and Shiran Gunarathne last week.

The petitioners warned that the Bill provides very little online safety but is drafted to stop people from expressing ideas and views on the internet and social media. They showed how the Bill allows a five member Commission to take down within 24 hours any post that they consider to be a false statement and warned that allowing five people who are not even part of the judiciary to decide on what is true or false is a very dangerous precedent that is aimed at drastically controlling millions of online users from sharing their ideas and views.

This, they said, appears to be a reaction to political dissent that was part of the “Aragalaya”. They cited the example of how the ICCPR Act is abused under the guise of religious harmony, to harass people without managing to obtain a single conviction. Those provisions are repeated in the Bill taking out judicial oversight. Some said that having got rid of criminal defamation in 2003 bringing this Bill now is regressive.

According to the Bill, the refusal to take down a post could result in a jail term imposed by a Magistrate not only on the individual but also on the service provider. The Bill has disregarded that many of the services used by millions of Sri Lankans are provided by international companies based outside of Sri Lanka who would rather stop the service and leave Sri Lanka rather than being subjected to the risks of this kind of high-handed governmental actions that are contrary to internationally recognized standards that will not only drive up their compliance costs but would make compliance impractical.

If the Bill goes through Sri Lanka could lose Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and even essential services such as Google search, Google Maps and G-mail. Some others bemoaned that the Bill has chosen to ignore that this kind of control has not worked elsewhere but highlighted to a danger of these being replaced by other companies that do not have privacy and safety precautions built in allowing anybody to eavesdrop and spy on people’s conversations. In the past there have been rumours of attempts to replace these current services like WhatsApp with other technologies that are hackable and allows clandestine monitoring. There are certain countries that have banned or driven out social media companies that have strict guidelines on freedom of expression to be replaced by service providers with a reputation notorious for not respecting privacy.

Viraj Dayarathne, Additional Solicitor General presented a large number of amendments at the commencement of the hearing which he said would be introduced at the Committee Stage. Many objected to this position saying that this is an attempt to by-pass the Supreme Court from making a determination. If the Bill is going to be drastically changed at the Committee Stage the proper course of action is to withdraw this Bill and present a fresh Bill with the changes so that the people would have a chance to challenge the Bill. Some said that the proposed amendments do not reduce the dangers that this Bill poses.

The lawyers warned that the Bill presented by the Minister of Public Security will be the death knell not only of freedom of expression but also of all businesses that operate on or use online services. They warned that this will give a very bad impression to the country struggling to attract foreign investors. Citing several key provisions in the Constitution as being violated, it was the common contention of the petitioners that the Bill has to be approved at a referendum if the government still wants to persist going down this route.

In the meantime, there were several social media posts by several individuals refuting that they were involved in the drafting of the Bill. Attempts by this paper to ascertain the names of those who in fact drafted this Bill was not successful.

Online Safety Bill and Anti-Terror Bill: law making to end democracy and fundamental rights

Monday, 23 October 2023 Daily FT

The proposed laws are a clear indication that the Government fears that its indifference to the grave hardships of the people in this economic crisis will not be tolerated, and will be resisted

 A group of 125 civil society leaders and 37 organisations and collectives has issued the following statement on the draconian Online Safety Bill and the Anti-Terror Bill alleging both will put an end to democracy and fundamental rights. They called upon the Government to withdraw both bills and engage in a public conversation with qualified persons and citizens on public policy. They also called upon the Members of Parliament to vote against these two bills. Following are excerpts of their 

The Government has included two Bills titled ‘The Online Safety Act’ (OSA) and the ‘Anti-Terror Act’ (ATA) in the Parliamentary Order Paper dated 3 October. Both Bills have sweeping provisions to seriously curtail and even violate the freedoms of expression, free speech, right to information, assembly and association. Both present fatal threats to democracy and fundamental rights in this country.

The OSA proposes to create an ‘Online Safety Commission’ appointed by the President and dismissed at his will and pleasure, which is given sweeping powers to determine if a statement is a ‘false statement’ and take measures to ‘prohibit’ it from circulation. The Commission has powers to issue directives to persons and online service providers to remove or block content, sites and locations. If its directives are not complied with, penal sanctions including prison sentences and fines can be imposed. The OSA will embed a culture of state harassment of online journalists and activists, artists, scholars, writers, trade unions, civil society organisations, including women’s groups, human rights defenders, professional organisations, and any citizen who dares to criticise Government and disagree with its policies and governance. 

Not only the Fundamental Rights of speech, expression and access to information, but the right to claim them through the connected rights of freedom of protest and association will be curtailed and destroyed by the State. The inevitable self-censorship of citizens and communities that can follow, will embed authoritarian and dictatorial governance that has no respect for the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan people that is a foundational value in our Constitution. The lack of accountability and corruption in governance that we see today will become a permanent aspect of governance. The impact on the life of a Sri Lankan citizen and another generation will be far reaching and hard to reverse. This will complete Sri Lanka’s transformation into a complete Orwellian State where what the ‘truth’ is will be determined and imposed exclusively by the State.

The ATA will be a reinvention of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which it claims to repeal. Under the ATA the definition of what comprises ‘terrorism’ is so vast and vague that any act can become an act of terror if the State deems it so. Any protest or strike can become an act of terror. Any instance of free speech can be deemed as inciting ‘terrorism’. Any organisation can be proscribed as a ‘terrorist’ association. Any publication can be deemed a ‘terrorist’ publication. Anyone associated with ‘terrorist’ suspects, by virtue of association and knowledge, can be punished. Detentions will be made through executive orders and the military has been given powers to arrest and detain, powers which it did not have even under the PTA. The ATA will create a permanent state of emergency where Sri Lanka will effectively become a military state functioning under the exclusive dictate of the Executive. 

Repealing the PTA has been a promise made to the nation and the global community of nations represented at the United Nations. What this bill does however is to increase the power of the State to repress citizens and deny the constitutionally guaranteed Fundamental Rights of the People. 

The proposed laws are a clear indication that the Government fears that its indifference to the grave hardships of the people in this economic crisis will not be tolerated, and will be resisted. The citizens of this country were not responsible for this manmade crisis. Instead of taking the responsibility for the crisis, the Government is making use of debt restructuring to make laws that encourage governance that is not accountable to the people and tries to legalise misuse of State power. Under the guise of domestic debt restructuring savings of the working people are being stolen. Under the guise of labour law reforms proposals are being pushed to bring an end to the right to unionise and exploit women’s labour. 

Women’s groups and activists have made an important contribution to ensuring that our laws and policies on women’s work conform to international ILO and other standards, and our Constitution. The proposed labour laws target women disproportionately, and will eliminate all these gains, embedding and encouraging exploitation of their labour. Even criticism of the transformation will be prevented by these repressive laws. 

We are still suffering the impact of repressive laws of the past, enacted in the name of national defence, stability, economic growth and development. What Government needs to do, is to learn from the past and engage in enlightened law making. That agenda must repeal repressive laws and respond to embedded corruption, foster national unity and equitable economic growth that benefits all citizens in our plural society. The Government’s intention in passing laws that violate the basic values of democratic governance in our Constitution, shows that they want to change course, and establish a political dictatorship. The pretext is debt restructuring and economic recovery from bankruptcy.

We as women’s groups and other civil society groups and concerned citizens call upon the Government to withdraw ALL these Bills from Parliament. Government must engage in a process of consultative law making that we saw when the Right to Information Bill was passed. That law has received praise for strengthening accountable governance in local and international reviews of governance in our country. MPs, whether or not they are unelected by the people, and come to Parliament from a national list, take an oath of office that must respect the responsibilities of office under the basic law of our country the Constitution. According to the Preamble to that document, their duty is: 

“to humbly acknowledge (their) obligation to ratify the immutable republican principle of representative democracy, assuring to all people Freedom Equality Justice Fundamental Human Rights and the Independence of the judiciary”. (PREAMBLE Constitution 1978)

We call upon the Government to withdraw all these bills, and engage in a public conversation with qualified persons and citizens on public policy in these important areas. We call upon all Members of Parliament to fulfil the above stated Constitutional mandate and vote against these repressive laws.

Individual signatories:

 1. A.C. Fathima Husna (Attorney at Law)

2. A. Rose (Community Activist)

3. Aakiya Aman (Entrepreneur)

4. Ambika Satkunanathan (former Human Rights Commissioner) 

5. Ameena Hussein (Writer)

6. Anberiya Haniffa (Director, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum, Development Consultant) 

7. Aneesa Firthous (Women’s rights Activist)

8. Annie Kurien (Director Centre for Social Concern)

9. Anuratha Rajaretnam (Coordinator Suriya)

10. Ashila Dandeniya (Labour Rights Activist)

11. Balarasa Ratneswary (Women’s Rights Activist)

12. Balasingam Sukitha (Women’s Rights Activist)

13. Bisliya Bhutto (former Local Authority Member)

14. Chamila Thushari (Women’s Labour Rights Activist)

15. Chandani Herath (Chairperson Sunila Women and Children Development Foundation)

16. Chriten jeyaseelan Augustalima (Social Media Activist – Mannar)

17. Deepika Udagama (Professor of Law University of Peradeniya Former Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka)

18. Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka (Child Rights Activist) 

19. Dr. Chulani Kodikara (Polity Editorial Collective, Former Member of National Committee on Women 

20. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy (Fellow International Centre for Ethnic Studies)

21. Dr. Ramani Jayasundera (Board Member Centre for Women’s Research)

22. Dr. Selvi Thiruchandran (Former Member RTI Commission and Executive Director Women’s Education and Research Centre)

23. Dr. Sepali Kottegoda (Director Programmes and Research, Women and Media Collective) 

24. Dr. Thiloma Munasinghe (Public Health Consultant)

25. Dr. Thiyagaraja Waradas (Human Rights Activist)

26. Duleep de Chickera (former Bishop, Anglican Church of SL)

27. Ermiza Tegal (Attorney at Law)

28. Faizun Zakeriya (Co-Founder and Director, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum) 

29. Fathima Ilma (Former Local Authority Member)

30. Geethika Dharmasinghe (Senior Lecturer University of Colombo)

31. Geoffrey Alagaratnam (PC Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka)

32. Hamthun Jumana (Women’s Rights Activist Mullaitheevu) 

33. J.R.A. Dorin (Community Activist) 

34. Janakie Seneviratne (Women’s Rights Activist)

35. Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala (Women’s Rights Activist)

36. Jegatheeswaran Thayalini (Women’s Rights Activist) 

37. Jegatheeswaran Varayalini (Women’s Rights Activist)

38. Jezima Ismail (Educationist, Former member Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Co-founder Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum)

39. Justice Rohini Marasinge (Former Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka) 

40. Juwairiya Mohideen (Women’s Rights Activist)

41. K. Nihal Ahamed (Social Activist – Ampara)

42. K. Yogeshwary (General Secretary Working Women Front – Katugastota)

43. Kanaka Abeygunawardana (Independent Consultant)

44. Kanthaiyah Kalaivani (Political Activist)

45. Karuppaiya Saththiyaseelan (Women’s Rights Activist)

46. Kathirkamanathan Hemalarha (Women’s Rights Activist)

47. Kiruthika Thurairajah (Independent Consultant)

48. Kunaraja Ajitha (Women’s Rights Activist)

49. Laxman Rajani (Social Worker)

50. M.Y. Minnathul Suheera (Attorney at Law)

51. M. Noorul Ismiya (Community Mobiliser)

52. Mahaluxmy Kurushanthan (Human Rights Defender – Mannar) 

53. Mahendiran Nirmalathevi (Women’s Rights Activist)

54. Maithreyi Rajasingam (Director – Vilithu)

55. Manjula Krishnamoorthy (Former Local Authority Member)

56. Mansoor Mafahira (Social Mobiliser – Mannar)

57. Marisa de Silva (Social Media and Community Activist)

58. Mohamed Majeed Jansila (Women’s Rights Activist – Mullaitheevu)

59. Mujeeba Mujeeb (Former Local Authority Member)

60. Nabeela Iqbal (Sisterhood Initiative)

61. Nadaraja Sumathy (CSO Activist – Ampara)

62. Nadhiha Abbas (Attorney at Law)

63. Nalini Rathnarajah (Women Human Rights Defender)

64. Nelum Gunesekera (Consultant – Gender and Social Inclusion)

65. Nirmalan Arththigan (Women’s Rights Activist)

66. P. Renukathevi (Program manager ESDF – Batticaloa) 

67. Padma Pushpakanthi (Social Activist)

68. Padmini Weerasuriya (Executive Director)

69. Prema Gamage (Gender and Development Consultant)

70. Priyanthi Fernando (Former Executive Director Centre for Poverty Analysis Sri Lanka and International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific)

71. Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe (University of Colombo)

72. Prof. Harendra de Silva (Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics University of Colombo and Former Chairperson National Child Protection)    

73. Prof. Savithri Goonesekere (Emeritus Professor of Law, Former Vice Chancellor University of Colombo)

74. Prof. Camena Gunaratne (Open University) 

75. Rajabdeen Rasika (Women’s Rights Activist Mullaitheevu)

76. Rajany Rajeshwary (Feminist – Jaffna)

77. Ramani Mutthetuwegama (Attorney at Law)

78. Ranitha Gnanarajah (Attorney at Law)

79. Ravinthiran Kounthini (Women’s Rights Activist)

80. Rev. Dr. Jayasiri T. Peiris Former General Secretary of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka and Former Principal, Theological College of Lanka)

81. Rev. S.D.P. Selvan 

82. Rifa Mohamed Musthafa (Social Activist – Ampara)

83. Rifsana Fiqry (Entrepreneur) 

84. Rizani Hamin (Women’s Rights Activist)

85. S. Janeeta (Social Activist – Ampara)

86. Safana Gul Begum (Attorney at Law)

87. Sakuntala Kadirgamar (Executive Director, Law and Society Trust)

88. Saliya Peries (PC Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka)

89. Sarala Emanuel (Independent Researcher) 

90. Saratha Thevi (Psychosocial Counsellor)

91. Saththiyaseelan Niththis (Women’s Rights Activist) 

92. Selvanathan Tharsan (Women’s Rights Activist)

93. Selvarasa Jeyantha (Women’s Rights Activist – Mannar) 

94. Selvarasa Thileepan (Women’s Rights Activist)

95. Shafinaz Hassendeen (Retired International Labour Organisation Official, Director, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum)

96. Shareefa Ameer (Entrepreneur)

97. Shiranee Mills (Executive Director, Women’s Education and Research Centre)

98. Shireen Samarasuriya (Director, Voice of Women)

99. Shreen Saroor (Human Rights Activist)

100. Shyama Salgado (Retired Official International Labour Organisation) 

101. Shyamala Gomez (Women’s Rights Activist)

102. Shyamala Sivagurunathan (Independent Consultant)

103. Shydha Zaara (Scoal Activist)

104. Sirany Thevakumar (Women Human Rights Defender)

105. Sithravel Ethayarani (Women’s Rights Activist)

106. Sitraleka Maunaguru (Independent Feminist Researcher – Batticaloa) 

107. Siva Mariyarosalin (Women’s Rights Activist)

108. Sri Easwaray (Women’s Rights Activist)

109. Sri Kopika (Women’s Rights Activist)

110. Sulochana Peiris (Independent Writer and Documentary Maker)

111. Sumika Perera (Director, Women’s Resource Centre, Kurunegala) 

112. Suntharalingam Saththiya (Women’s Rights Activist)

113. Suntharampillai Suganthi (Women’s Rights Activist)

114. Surendran Thamilini (Women’s Rights Activist – Mannar) 

115. Suresh Jayawardhane (Freelance Consultant and CSO Activist)

116. Swasthika Arulingham (President Commercial Industrial Workers’ Union)

117. Thadchanamoorthy Navajothy (Women Human Rights Defender – Batticaloa)

118. Tharanga de Silva (Women and Media Collective) 

119. Vanie Simon (Women’s Rights Activist)

120. Vibooshi Balakrishnan (Human Rights Activist)

121. Vijayatheva Sasikala (Former Municipal Council Member – Batticaloa)

122. Vijitha Ehamparanathan (Women’s Rights Activist – Trincomalee)

123. Vipulan Shamini (Women’s Rights Activist)

124. Vivekananth Sinthuka (Women’s Rights Activist)

125. Y. Rinoza (Social Activist – Ampara)

Organisations and Collectives:

1. Affected Women’s Forum 

2. Alliance for Minorities 

3. Ampara District Alliance for Land Right (ADALR)

4. Cantre for Women’s Research 

5. Centre for Equality and Justice 

6. Centre for Social Concerns

7. Community Welfare Fund Sri Lanka

8. Dabindu Collective

9. Forum of Women Human Rights Defenders, Eastern Province 

10. Human Elevation Organization (HEO)

11. Law and Society Trust 

12. Liberation Movement 

13. Malarum Mottukal Collective – Mannar

14. Mannar Women’s Development Federation

15. Muslim Women’s Development Trust 

16. Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum

17. Network of Women in local politics, Eastern Province

18. Network of Women with disabilities, Batticaloa district 

19. Puttalam District Women’s Self Employment Reconciliation Forum 

20. Rainbow Pillars for Creativity (Batticaloa)

21. Rural Development Foundation

22. Savisthri National Women’s Movement

23. Sri Vimukthi Fisher Women’s Organisation (Negombo)

24. Stand Up Movement Lanka

25. Suriya Women’s Development Centre 

26. Vallamai-Movement for Social Change 

27. VILUTHU

28. Voice of Women 

29. Women Actions for Independent Development – WOMEN AID 

30. Women and Media Collective 

31. Women Development innovators 

32. Women’s Action for Social Justice 

33. Women’s Centre Sri Lanka 

34. Women’s Action Network 

35. Women’s Education and Research Centre

36. Women’s Resource Centre, Kurunegala

37. Working Women’s Front

☝

இஸ்ரேல் போர் எதிர்ப்பு கழகக் கண்டன முழக்கங்கள்

 * இலங்கைக்கு... ஈழம்! இஸ்ரேலுக்கு… பாலஸ்தீனம்! பாலஸ்தீன விடுதலை யுத்தத்தை ஆதரிப்போம்!

* அமெரிக்க நேட்டோவே! அதன் வேட்டை நாயான இஸ்ரேல் அரசே! பாலஸ்தீனத்தின் மீதான ஆக்கிரமிப்பு யுத்தத்தை உடனே நிறுத்து! மேற்கு கரை, காஸாவில் இருந்து வெளியேறு!

* பாலஸ்தீன பகுதிகளில் இஸ்ரேலின் யூதமயமாக்கல், இராணுவமயமாக்கலை எதிர்ப்போம்!

* ஜியோனிச இன-மதவெறிப் பாசிசம் பாலஸ்தீனத்திற்கு மட்டுமல்ல யூத உழைக்கும் மக்களுக்கும் எதிரானதே! யூத-பாலஸ்தீன உழைக்கும் மக்களின் ஒற்றுமைக்காக போராடுவோம்!!

* கார்ப்பரேட் நலன்களுக்கான ஜியோனிச, இந்துத்துவ பாசிசக் கூட்டை முறியடிப்போம்! இனப் படுகொலைக்கு ஆதரவு தரும் மோடி ஆட்சியை தூக்கியெறிவோம்!

* அமெரிக்க-நேட்டோ, ரசிய-சீன ஏகாதிபத்திய முகாம்களின் செல்வாக்கு மண்டலங்களுக்கான யுத்தகளமாக மத்திய கிழக்கை மாற்ற அனுமதியோம்!

* ஓஸ்லோ ஒப்பந்தம் – இருதேசக் கொள்கை மூலம் பாசிச இஸ்ரேல் - இன ஒடுக்குமுறை அரசுக்கு துணைபோகும் ரஷ்ய-சீன கார்ப்பரேட் நலன்களை எதிர்ப்போம்!

* உலகத் தொழிலாளர்களே! ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட தேசங்களே! பாலஸ்தீன விடுதலைக்கு ஆதரவாக கிளர்ந்தெழுவோம்! பாசிச இஸ்ரேல் அரசை மத்தியதரைக் கடலில் தூக்கியெறிவோம்!

மக்கள் ஜனநாயக இளைஞர் கழகம், தமிழ்நாடு

'' I urge Israel right of defence ''-Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

 

Archbishop of Canterbury statement on Israel and Gaza

13/10/2023 Statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby:

‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee’ (Psalm 122) 

Our grief and shock only grows greater as more devastating news and images emerge from the abhorrent terrorist attacks in Israel. The agonising suffering endured by those who were targeted and their families can scarcely be imagined. Our hearts are broken open by the grief of Israelis and our Jewish brothers and sisters around the world, for whom this trauma and loss stands in the dark and terrible shadow of the worst days of their history. 

I beg that those who have been taken hostage are set free into safety, that they and their loved ones might be released from the horror of their captivity. The anger felt by the people of Israel at the cruelty they have experienced is entirely justified. Many around the world share in that anger. 

But in the face of a ground offensive in Gaza, I plead that the sins of Hamas are not borne by the citizens of Gaza, who themselves have faced such suffering over many decades. The price of evil cannot be paid by the innocent. Civilians cannot bear the costs of terrorists. International humanitarian law recognises that, for the sake of everyone’s humanity, some acts can never be permissible in the chaos of warfare. I pray that Israel does everything it can to limit the harm caused to innocent civilians. 

Over two million civilians in Gaza, half of them children, are facing a catastrophe. A humanitarian corridor and convoy are needed as rapidly as possible, as set out in the Geneva Conventions. I pray particularly for the Anglican-run Ahli Arab Hospital and all those caring for the injured, who need medical supplies and generator fuel. 

I join with the US Secretary of State and others in urging the Israeli government to exercise their right of defence with the wisdom that might break the cycles of violence under which generations have struggled. Amidst the chaos and confusion of war, and as much as is possible, I join the calls for Israel's military response to be proportional and to discriminate between civilians and Hamas. 

Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Pray for the future of the Holy Land. Pray for those who will weep, and fear, and die tonight. 

Lord God, we pray, by your great mercy, defend your children from all perils and dangers of this night.  

If you are able, please support the JMECA appeal for the Ahli Arab Hospital to continue providing life-saving medical care: www.jmeca.org.uk/get-involved/donate/current-appeals-0/al-ahli-hospital-gaza-appeal

Archbishop of Canterbury appeals for end to bloodshed after Gaza hospital blast

18/10/2023

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for an end to the bloodshed in Israel and Gaza after the explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza yesterday. 

Urging restraint on apportioning blame until the facts are clear, the Archbishop said the strike at the hospital “violates the sanctity and dignity of human life”.

The Archbishop added: “It is unconscionable that aid is being prevented from reaching children and adults who are not combatants in this war. It is indefensible that hospitals, schools and refugee camps are being struck. It is an outrage that hostages are being held by Hamas.”

“The bloodshed, slaughter and suffering of innocent people on all sides must stop.”

“What we know for certain is that this violence will not secure for the people of the Holy Land the future they deserve,” he said.   

Read the Archbishop’s statement in full below:

Today I join my Anglican brothers and sisters in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank in their profound mourning after the atrocious attack on the Anglican-run Al Ahli Hospital yesterday, which follows so closely on from an attack on the same hospital on Friday evening. This is a hospital I have visited, and whose staff I have prayed with.

ENB Poster

This atrocity violates the sanctity and dignity of human life. It is a violation of humanitarian law, which is clear that hospitals, doctors and patients must be protected. For this reason, it’s essential that we exercise restraint in apportioning responsibility before all the facts are clear.

The evil and heinous terror attacks by Hamas on people in Israel were crimes against God and humanity. Israel has a legitimate right and duty to defend itself, and to pursue a proportionate and discriminate response to establish its security. The rules of war are there to safeguard civilians and the value of every human life. They must be upheld to the highest degree possible amidst the chaos of conflict, otherwise the cycle of violence will continue for generations to come.

Israel’s bombing campaign on the heavily populated Gaza Strip is causing massive civilian casualties and suffering. The people of Gaza are running out of water, food, medical supplies and places of refuge. Families in Israel and around the world still wait for news of their loved ones. It is unconscionable that aid is being prevented from reaching children and adults who are not combatants in this war. It is indefensible that hospitals, schools and refugee camps are being struck. It is an outrage that hostages are being held by Hamas. The bloodshed, slaughter and suffering of innocent people on all sides must stop.

The fundamental question is this: what kind of society can be envisaged both for a secure Israeli state and a secure neighbouring Palestinian state. That path is not clear, but it must be imagined – and that imagining must start again now. What we know for certain is that this violence will not secure for the people of the Holy Land the future they deserve.

I appeal again for hostages to be released and for civilians to be protected. I join the international call for all parties to grant immediate, safe humanitarian access into Gaza to prevent further loss of life. I pray again for the peace of Jerusalem, in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. I grieve with Israelis and Palestinians still mourning and in fear.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I urge a different path – one that spares innocent lives and pursues justice, security and lasting peace for all.

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