Press Release
5 January 2009

Goff deplores civilian deaths in Gaza  

Opposition Leader Phil Goff has deplored the increasing death toll in the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza.

“The appalling death toll and injury rate overwhelmingly involves civilians, innocent of playing any part in the causes of the conflict,” Phil Goff said.

“Neither those firing the Hamas rockets nor those who have launched the disproportionate response, resulting in the deaths of more than 400 people in Gaza, can escape condemnation for their actions.

“The meaningless death of children and civilians can only further entrench bitterness and hatred, and make any solution to the longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians harder to resolve.

“Those firing the Hamas rockets which have had limited actual impact must have known their actions were provocative. The size and scale of the Israeli response is hugely disproportionate and the timing would appear to have been motivated more by the impending election in Israel than the actual Hamas rocket attacks.

“As always in any war, the highest price is paid in lives and injuries of those people who are not combatants or participants in the politics surrounding the conflict,” Mr Goff said.

“The loss of innocents will only strengthen the position of extremist elements over moderates and highlight the failure of the multilateral process inside and outside of the United Nations to find a solution or even an effective process to address underlying problems.

“However, the best prospect for funding a solution remains international agreement to end the conflict and to find a way forward to improve the lives and conditions of those in the Gaza area.

“Not withstanding that’s its first priority will be to address financial and economic problems at home, I hope that the Obama Administration can bring fresh ideas and determination to resolve the Israeli Palestinian conflict ,” Phil Goff said.

ENDS

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