Hosia Mviringi
The African Union has come out strongly condemning the recent sustained Israeli bombing of the Gaza strip in the Palestinian territory, describing it as “in stark violation of international law.”
The Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip which began two days ago has resulted in 53 deaths, which include 14 children.
What began as a witch hunt for Hamas militants has claimed the lives of civilians as the bombing has proved to be wanton and indiscriminate.
African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat issued a strong statement condemning the killings, displacement of civilians, the violent attacks on the Al-Aqsa mosque which killed 21 while injuring more than 300 worshippers.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the bombardments in the Gaza Strip that killed 21 Palestinians, and the violent attacks in the Al-Aqsa mosque committed by the Israeli security forces against Palestinian worshippers wounding some 300 worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan,” said Mahamat.
“The Chairperson reiterates that the Israeli army’s actions, including the continued forced, illegal evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem, are in stark violation of international law and further heighten tensions in the region, complicating the search for a just and lasting solution,” he continued in a statement.
The African Union Commission Chairperson’s statement was clear that Africa remains solid in its solidarity with the people of Palestine and the leadership of the Palestinian Authority in their genuine quest for independence.
“The Chairperson reiterates the continued strong support of the African Union to the Palestinian people in their legitimate quest for the quest for an independent and sovereign State with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Mahamat said.
The world has pulled backwards to become a reluctant spectator while Israel continues to violate human rights and international law with impunity.
The West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem were occupied by Israel in the 1967 sixty-day war which drove out Egypt and Jordan which had hitherto occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank respectively.
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 called for the partition of the British-ruled Palestine Mandate into a Jewish state and an Arab state.
It was approved on November 29, 1947.
Unfair as the resolution might have been then, one would have hoped that Israel would respect this internationally binding resolution and agree to a bi-nation co-existence with their Arab neighbour.
Analysts have questioned the reluctance by the international community to intervene meaningfully to protect the rights and integrity of the people of Palestine.
It is said that Arab Palestinians, as the original inhabitants of the disputed region, remain on the edge and under a constant threat of extermination.
The United States of America, as the biggest supporter of Israel, and the biggest benefactor to the United Nations is complicit in its inaction to stop a daylight killing of innocent Palestinians.
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