Press release
2 April 2018
End the Zionist Genocidal Siege of Gaza
Citizens International strongly condemns the cowardly shooting and killing of peaceful Palestinian protesters demonstrating at the Gaza-Israel border. The Palestinians were protesting against the international community’s indifference to their right, under international law, of return to their homes and lands stolen by the Zionists. They were also demanding an end to the genocidal Zionist siege imposed upon Gaza.
We applaud the courageous resistance of the Palestinian protesters against the terrorism of Israel’s occupation forces.
17 Palestinians were killed and 1400 wounded, including those as young as 16 years old. Among those killed was an inspiring gifted artist 22 year-old Mohammad Abu Omar who mades and sculptures on the beach in Gaza. His last sculpture was simply #Ana_Raje3 (I am returning).
The Israeli soldiers, who killed the peaceful protesters, and those who gave the orders, are cowardly terrorists. They should be prosecuted under international criminal law together with Prime Minister Netanyahu who praised their barbaric acts.
The United States representative in the United Nations Security Council blocked the issue of a statement by the Council calling for an independent and transparent inquiry into the shooting. Why does the US fear an independent and transparent inquiry? Because it would expose Israel’s criminal acts.
While the Palestinians are demonstrating and demanding their right to return to their lands and homes stolen by the Zionists, in Washington, Saudi Arabia’s de facto King Mohammed Bin Salman has been dining and plotting with Zionist leaders who are promoting colonization of the West Bank by Jews. He has also been preaching war against Iran.
Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and all those who want peace in West Asia must realize that the Saudi ruling elite has joined the US-Israel alliance to protect imperialist and Zionist interests in that region and, therefore, they must be opposed and punished.
The Egyptian government is colluding with Israel to continue the siege on Gaza, which has produced a humanitarian crisis. A recent UN report stated that Gaza has become unlivable ten years after the siege with decreasing electricity supply and 60 percent youth unemployment.
Except for opening Rafah crossing on occasions, Egypt has kept it sealed, denying the population adequate food, medicine and other essentials. It has also destroyed and flooded the tunnels, which were the lifeline for the people under siege.
It is shocking and shameful that, under US pressure, the international community, including the UN Security Council, the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has not taken firm action to end the barbaric Zionist siege and to punish Israel for its crimes.
We call on the UN Security Council to order an independent and transparent investigation into the shooting the protesters. It is time members of the Security Council stand up and say “No” to pressure from the US in defence of Israel’s gross violation of human rights and crimes against humanity.
We also call on the Malaysian government and member-states of the Arab League, OIC and states that uphold justice, peace and the rule of international law to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is peacefully resisting Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
Civil society organizations must intensify the BDS movement activities to end the Apartheid regime in Palestine.
S.M. Mohamed Idris
Chairman
Citizens International
