BNF condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza
Dear Editor,
The Botswana National Front would like to add its voice to those calling for the immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
After 19 days of ceaseless carnage and terror unleashed by Israel against the people of Gaza and its illegal occupation thereof, over 900 human lives have been lost.  What this means is that for every day that passes, 50 lives are lost. About half of those who have lost their lives are innocent children and women.
It is further reported that a third are children under the age of 15. Over 4 500 have been injured. The trauma that the Palestinians are subjected to will leave permanent scars in their lives and breed hatred, anger and lead to more violence.
 
All this is happening in the backdrop of Israel assertion that it is targeting terrorist infrastructure and Hamas, but pictures from the ground show wounded and dead children. While Israel’s right to defend itself cannot be denied, evidence on the ground does not suggest that it is exercising that right properly.
Israel’s argument that it has been provoked stands on thin ice. Its response to Hamas’ rocket attacks has been disproportionate. Once more, the civilians continue to bear the brunt of the indiscriminate bombings and ruthless shootings by Israel.
We share the view that the Israeli military campaign is criminal and disregards international human rights law. It should refrain from imposing collective punishment on Palestine civilians (as per the UN Human Rights Council declaration issued on July 6th 2006). It is regrettable that Israel continues to blatantly disregard this and other UN resolutions with the full support of the United States of America.    
 
Israel has disregarded the UN resolution calling for a truce in favour of continued massacres of innocent people in the name of war against terror. The alleged use of dangerous chemicals against the people of Gaza shows that the senseless onslaught has reached genocide proportions. These chemicals have long-term repercussions. This was the case when the US used them against the Vietnamese and Latin American peoples in imperial conquest wars.
The humanitarian conditions in Gaza are terrifying   and it is regrettable that Israeli army is continuing to indiscriminately punish the Gaza people. The actions by the Israeli leadership should be referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.  If Israel is not tried for war crimes, then the law will be applied selectively. It is also worrisome that there have been media restrictions in the coverage of this brutal attack on Gaza.
 
Our position at the BNF is that Israel should recognise the Palestine people’s right to sovereignty and self-determination. We agree with those who say, “As it is right now Palestine is bleeding! Lamenting is a luxury and action is long overdue”.
 
We call upon the government to speak louder than it has and reconsider our country’s relationship with Israel. The same kind of vigour that we have displayed against Zimbabwe should also be noticeable in our dealings with Israel. It is also our hope that the incoming Obama administration will live up to its Change trademark and deal with Israel differently from its predecessors who were baby-sitting it. Unless and until we speak loudly against this type of behaviour, the Palestinians will never see peace in their lifetime.
 
The BNF wants to repeat its firmly held view that the only lasting solution to the Middle East Crisis is for Israel to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967 which called on Israel to withdraw to the 1967 borders and for all the countries in the Middle East, including Israel to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats of force.
 
Thanking you.
 
Yours,
 
Information and Publicity Secretary  
