NZ Muslims Condemn Attacks in Lebanon and Gaza
18 July 2006
The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, representing the New Zealand Muslim community, strongly condemns the indiscriminate and disproportionate Israeli military aggressions in Lebanon that has resulted in the killing of about 200 innocent civilians and the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. Israel's aggressive military campaign in Lebanon threatens the lives of all Lebanese citizens as well as foreign nationals (including New Zealanders) in Lebanon.
The Federation also strongly condemns the shelling of Israeli towns by Hezbollah militants, which has resulted in the loss of innocent Israeli civilians. While the Federation does not condone the kidnapping of soldiers or civilians, it nevertheless views that the Israeli reprisal as extremely unbalanced and heavy-handed. This is indeed an unacceptable violation of international humanitarian laws and rules.
The Federation is further concerned that while media and political attention is firmly focused on the current situation in Lebanon, Israel has escalated its targeted military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in further loss of innocent civilian life and the destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure.
The Federation is deeply concerned at this deplorable act by Israel and calls upon the New Zealand government and all world leaders to strongly censure Israel at the United Nations and other international forums condemning these attacks by Israel and dissuade Israel from carrying out such counterproductive and destructive attacks. Such attacks are bound to have a deleterious effect on the on-going Middle East peace process.
There should be an immediate cessation of military actions by all parties concerned. All hostages, including the three soldiers (kidnapped in Gaza and Northern Israel) as well as members of the Palestinian Authority's directly elected Parliament, should be unconditionally released. For permanent peace in the Middle East to prevail, the Federation calls upon Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories in accordance with the "Road Map to A Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli Palestinian Conflict ".
Javed Khan
President |
