Press Release MAPIM
22 nd November 2012
MAPIM WELCOMES THE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic NGOs ( MAPIM ) rejoice with the people of Gaza on the announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip which is said to come into effect at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday.
This is a victory of resilience on the part of the Gaza people. We salute the strong and resolute leadership of Ismail Haniyeh the Prime Minster of Gaza who stood firm with the Gaza people against the cowardly military action of killing civilians by the Israel Occupation Forces.
We register our full support for the truce brokered but condemn the Israel for not agreeing to lift its blockade on the Palestinian territory. The blockade is fundamentally the key issue that would have paved the way for a long term ceasefire and rebuilding of Gaza from its rubbles.
We abhor the continuing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip for an eighth day, as diplomatic efforts were under way to secure a ceasefire.
The Israel’s continuing operation questions its commitment to the truce process .At least a dozen people were killed in Gaza on Wednesday, according to medical officials, bringing the death toll to a total of 150 since Israel’s military operation was launched. A two-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl were among those killed.
The whole aggressive operation , killing civilians and destroying civilian infrastructures is without doubt a reflection of the genocidal mission by Israel against the people of Gaza.
The world cannot ignore the Israel criminal act for the hundreds killed and more than a thousands wounded in Gaza.
We deplore the mere words of concern by Hillary Clinton who expressed “heartfelt concern for innocent lives lost” on both sides which essentially is trying to evade the ground facts that the casualties suffered by Gaza is irreparable.
This invasion has targeted even buildings housing international press agencies . The so called “surgical precision” shellings makes a mockery of all the live documentaries showing indiscriminate bombings by Israel raids on civilians areas.
We salute Egyptian President Dr Mohammad Morsi’s firm stand on the Israel military campaign. His strong views on the Israel agression and opening the Rafah crossing to allow the injured to be transported out from Gaza is a far shift of position from the Mubarak regime. His move of sending his Prime Minister to Gaza in the midst of the aggression is the first ever political action from an Arab leader.
His personal leadership gives hope for a more convincing future to liberate Gaza from the blockade imposed illegally by Israel. His crucial and constructive role in the truce process should set the stage for a political solution to the Palestinian plight.
The “long term” solution called by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is nothing but a condition to allow Israel to launch future aggression on the people of Gaza. Silencing Hamas rocket is just an excuse to continue its real agenda of expanding its territory to re-occupy Gaza.
Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
Secretary General MAPIM
