Former Prime Ministers condemn Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza

The Right Honorable Said Musa and the Right Honorable Dean Barrow, Belize’s only living past Prime Ministers, have issued a statement condemning “Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza”.  The release was sent out this afternoon, stating, quote, “We are sickened by the horrific toll in human life caused by the unspeakable, continuing tragedy in Gaza. Hamas’s killing of Israeli civilians and taking others hostage was wrong. But as the United Nations Secretary-General has acknowledged, it did not happen in a vacuum. It is in the context of Israel’s years-long blockade of Gaza, its displacement of Palestinians and seizure of their properties, its arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of citizens in both Gaza and the West Bank, and its annihilation of human rights, that Hamas’s actions must be understood.” The statement adds that “in any case, no so-called “right of self-defense” can excuse Israel’s pitiless siege and unrelenting bombing of Gaza. This utter inhumanity is compounded by the inclusion of hospitals and other civilian targets.” End of quote. The joint statement goes on to say that the failure of the United Nations to stop an ongoing genocide is profoundly disturbing and could seriously affect its relevance to achieving world peace. The former leaders ended by saying that they join other leaders, organizations, and people of conscience everywhere, including the Pope, in calling for an immediate ceasefire.  The statement comes on the heel of an address by the Foreign Minister, Eamon Courtenay in last week’s Senate meeting, also condemning the actions by the Israelis.