not condemning gaza

letter to my MP. His reply below

Dear David Cameron

I am disappointed but not wholly surprised that you are unable to condemn outright Israel's actions in Gaza. This is an act of vicious collective punishment, coming on top of a lengthy siege that has been condemned by human rights activists and lawyers worldwide.

Yes, the rocket attacks also violate international law, but it is Israel that violated the truce, Israel that refuses to lift the siege and renew the ceasefire, Israel that is in violation of numerous Security Council and General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the occupation, a dismantling of the 'security' wall, an end to acts of collective punishment; and Israel that is now inflicting terror on 1 ½ million people who have already been tested to the limits of human endurance. Are rocket attacks comparable to the suffering of the Gazans? And if not, why can you not bring yourself to condemn outright the massacre that is happening right now?

I have little hope that you will do so. Little hope that you will call for sanctions. Little hope that you will even call for an end to the sale of arms components from this country. But I would like to register my disgust at the hypocrisy which allows politicians of all shades to condemn some states as 'terrorist' states for invading, occupying and terrorising other human beings, and allows others to commit such acts with total impunity.

I hope – and believe – that our grandchildren will study the massacre in Gaza, and the failure of Western politicians to condemn it, in the same way that children in schools now study the Nazi holocaust. I hope they will be ashamed of us.

Yours sincerely

antarchi

Reply from DC Fluffy politician-speak to which I could not even bring myself to reply. What's the point.

Thank you for your e-mail about the crisis in Gaza. I share your deep concern about the awful situation there, and over the number of people who have lost their lives or been injured.

Both William Hague and I have called repeatedly for an urgent ceasefire to be implemented by both sides. This is the only solution which will preserve the Peace Process, protect Israel’s security and allow action to be taken to address the terrible suffering in Gaza. It requires an end to Hamas rocket attacks against Israeli citizens, which are acts of terrorism, as well as an end to Israeli military operations.

I welcome efforts which are being made at the United Nations Security Council and in the region to secure a lasting ceasefire – one which will give enduring peace to people in Gaza and sustainable security to Israel.

The only long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a negotiated two-state agreement which achieves a viable and secure Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, both living in peace and security. This requires Britain to work with those, including President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, who are dedicated to achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The Conservative Party has called on the British Government to work with the United States and other members of the Middle East Quartet to secure an early return to negotiations in 2009. A lot will depend on the incoming Administration of President-Elect Obama in the United States. We have called on the new Administration to make the Middle East Peace Process one of their top priorities.

I assure you that I will continue to keep a close eye on the situation in the days and weeks ahead and thank you, again, for getting in touch.

DC