15 May 2018

The Green Party is strongly condemning the slaughter perpetrated by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza overnight following the opening of the new United States Embassy in Jerusalem, which has resulted in the murder of at least 52 civilians and over 2400 injured.

This is the second deadly massacre of protestors perpetrated by the Israeli armed forces this year and is the deadliest onslaught in Gaza since 2014.

“As predicted the opening of Donald Trump’s confrontational Embassy in Jerusalem has fanned flames of conflict and death,” said Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.

“Rather than being a step towards peace the Embassy opening has acted as a flash point in the conflict and has been used by the Israeli government to justify their massacre of Palestinians.

“Jerusalem is an internationally recognised disputed territory, and the fair division of it will be a component of any enduring peace deal. The United States setting up an Embassy there purposefully undermines the Palestinian position and makes peace less likely.

“This slaughter is all the evidence we need that Trump’s move makes peace less likely and makes life for those living in Gaza more dangerous.

“Israel’s ongoing siege on Gaza constitutes a breach of international law and has caused an unsustainable humanitarian crisis since 2009. The people of Gaza are a trapped population with no access to humanitarian aid or access to adequate healthcare or education.

“The Green Party is calling on Israel to end its siege on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian Territories, and take positive steps towards an enduring peace in the region.”

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