Labour condemns escalating violence in Israel and Palestine – pathway to peace needed
Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson Brendan Howlin TD said:
“The attacks on Israeli civilian and military targets over the last 24 hours by Hamas is totally unacceptable and must stop. We condemn what appears to be the brutal killing, assault and kidnapping of civilians by militants, and the indiscriminate missile attacks on Gazan residential areas in response by Israel. Evidence of the massacre of civilians must be investigated and documented.
“Israel must use restraint in their response or risk plunging the region into a level of violence not seen for decades. Civilians must be protected. Seeking revenge will only deepen the cycle of violence.
“Neither side will benefit from escalating attacks, and it is civilians who will bear the brunt. It is high time the international community addressed the immoral conditions imposed on the people of Gaza by Israel which is used to justify these latest horrific attacks.
“The imminent meeting of the UN Security Council must lead international pressure to calm the situation and restore the focus on building a lasting peace settlement in accordance with UN Security resolutions and international law. The consequences of the escalation of violence is unimaginable.”