[GPCA Updates] Green Party condemns Israel's massive air attack on Gaza, calls on US to rein in Israel and seek a ceasefire

[Green Party of California Updates]

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Green Party condemns Israel's massive air attack on Gaza, calls on US to
rein in Israel and seek a ceasefire


WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States calls for an
immediate end to Israel's bombing attacks on Gaza, which in the past four
days has already caused at least 364 deaths, including Palestinian women
and children, with hundreds more wounded.

"It's clear that President Bush gave a green light for Israel's massive
and disproportionate display of force. The Green Party demands that the US
seek a bilateral ceasefire, with immediate pressure on Israel to stop the
bombardment and end the occupation," said Rosa Clemente, the Green Party's
2008 candidate for Vice President of the United States

Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008 presidential candidate, had
joined the Free Gaza Groupon the SS Dignity, which sailed from Cyprus to
deliver three tons of medicine and humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of
an Israeli blockade. Ms. McKinney was safe after Israeli gunboats
attempted to intercept the Dignity last night and one gunboat illegally
rammed the vessel in international waters, 90 miles off the Gaza coast.
Despite damage sustained in the encounter, the Dignity has docked safely
in Lebanon and Ms. McKinney is on her way to Beirut.

In an interview on CNN, Cynthia McKinney said, "What we have gone through
pales in comparison to what the people of the Gaza Strip are suffering."
Ms. McKinney is challenging President-elect Barack Obama to condemn
Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Greens noted that Hamas, the target of Israel's aerial bombardment, was
democratically elected in 2006, and that Israel and the US have been
trying to remove Hamas from power, especially by attempting to spark a
civil war between Hamas and Fatah.

Since its election, Hamas has repeatedly offered to talk with Israel, but
Israel has rejected all such overtures. Hamas had observed a five-month
truce that was broken on November 4 when Israeli Defense Forces killed
five Palestinians. In retaliation, Hamas responded with missiles which
over the last month have injured one Israeli and caused property damage.
The Green Party categorically condemns all violence visited on unarmed
civilians.

"Palestinians are living under an occupation that has continued despite
numerous UN directives ordering Israel to withdraw. Israel's latest lethal
assault will only intensify the crisis and inflict further suffering on
the Palestinian people. Two thirds of Gazans are refugees -- some doubly
so, from 1948 and 1967 -- and all Gaza residents are living in conditions
comparable to a medieval siege. Israel must comply with international law
and ends its illegal military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem,
and Gaza, dismantle the illegal separation wall, make restitution to
Palestinians whose lands have been seized, and recognize the Palestinian
right of return. If President Obama wants to make history by resolving the
Middle East conflict, he must press Israel to take these steps," said
Hajja Romi Elnagar, Louisiana Green and member of the Green Party's
International Committee.

"The current assumption in the US media that this is a symmetrical
conflict between equals is as absurd as the claim that Israel's bombs are
not threatening women and children. Israel is the world's fourth most
powerful military nation, a nuclear power that enjoys support from the US,
while Palestinians are impoverished, with many living without electricity,
water, food, and medicine for weeks," said Ms. Elnagar.

As a result of the Israeli blockade, 80% of Gazans live on less than two
dollars a day. Unemployment hovers at 50-60% in Gaza, with only 195
factories, reduced from 3,900 in 2005. Israel has barred the delivery of
UN relief to Gazans.

The Green Party has called for an end to US military aid to Israel and
supports the movement for international boycott, divestment, and sanctions
against Israel until Israel ends the occupation, obeys international law
(including Geneva Conventions and the UN's Universal Declaration of Human
Rights), and guarantees full human rights for Palestinians. The party
supports efforts by Palestinian and Israeli peace groups towards a
nonviolent negotiated resolution to the conflict.

The Green Party also endorses complete regional (and, ultimately, global)
nuclear disarmament to remove the threat of a nuclear exchange in the
Middle East and Asia. Greens have expressed concern that Barack Obama will
bow to demands from AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbies and maintain the
Clinton and Bush administrations' uncritical support for Israel's military
objectives and human rights violations.

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