US “moral outrage” over Israeli war tactics, while continuing to supply the weapons, lacks conviction and compassion
Statement from Desmond & Leah Tutu House
US “moral outrage” over Israeli war tactics, while continuing to supply the weapons, lacks conviction and compassion
This week’s killing of six foreign aid workers by the Israeli Defence Force reportedly led US President Joe Biden to rebuke Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu, and has drawn the concession by Israel of opening two additional border crossings to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
While allowing any extra aid into Gaza must be applauded, opening a couple of border crossings is insufficient to meet the needs of Palestinians who continue to be attacked with weapons paid for by US taxpayers.
And it contributes all but nothing to preventing the conflict in Palestine from spreading to other countries in the region, which appears increasingly inevitable.
The targeting of foreign aid workers should be condemned in the strongest terms, but so too should the fact that the Israel Defence has claimed the lives of 200 Palestinian aid workers over the past six months, 170 of them working for the United Nations.
So, too, should the unprecedented numbers of women, children, teachers, doctors and journalists who have been killed in Israel’s bombardment be condemned.
So, too, should the bombing of hospitals and use of starvation as a tactic of war be condemned.
This weekend marks the six-month anniversary of Hamas’ deadly 7 October attack on Israel in which more than 1100 people died, many of them civilians. Hamas returned to Gaza with approximately 250 hostages, of whom 130 are still believed to be in captivity. While Hamas has the right to struggle for Palestine’s freedom, its tactics on 7 October were deplorable.
Israel unequivocally has the right to defend its citizens from such events, but this right does not extend to committing acts of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Israel must be held accountable for the disproportionality and illegality of its response.
With the world teetering on the edge of environmental calamity, having just emerged from a pandemic that scientists predict won’t be the last, human beings should be increasingly conscious of their inter-dependence.
Instead, powerful nations continue to act to advance their own geo-political interests and perpetuate inequality.
We applaud those nations, organisations and individuals – in many countries – who have joined South Africa’s condemnation of Israel’s genocidal strategies.
The pressure for an immediate ceasefire must be intensified.
Signed by:
Dr Mamphela Ramphele: Chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust;
and
Ms Janet Jobson: CEO of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation
* Statement released by Benny Gool (082 5566556) and Roger Friedman 079 8966899, on behalf of: Desmond & Leah Tutu House. Buitenkant Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa