UNISON statement on Gaza ceasefire

UNISON welcomes the ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas, and the suspension of the latest deadly assault on Gaza, which has needlessly devastated so many lives. For 11 days, the people of Gaza have endured Israeli military airstrikes, killing 242 Palestinians including 66 children. A further 1,950 people have been injured and 106,000 forced to leave their homes in search of protection. A dozen people in Israel have died, including from rockets fired from Gaza, with 27 Palestinians in the West Bank. UNISON condemns the violence and regrets the loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives. For the fourth time since 2008, the people of Gaza will now begin rebuilding their homes, livelihoods and public services, while continuing to live under a tight land, sea and air blockade that has isolated two million Palestinians from the rest of the world for the last 14 years. While the bombs may have fallen silent for now, unless the root cause of this most recent oppression – 54 years of occupation – is dealt with, then the ceasefire will only be temporary. On 21 May, Israeli police again raided the compound of the al-Aqsa Mosque (pictured above) and clashed with worshippers, in scenes reminiscent of the horrific attack we witnessed 11 days earlier. Palestinian refugee families, who have lived in UN built homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of occupied East Jerusalem since 1956, continue to face expulsion to make way for an illegal settlement. And the Israeli governmen...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News international Palestine Source Type: news