The Fire Brigades Union's executive council has today approved the following statement regarding recent events in Israel and Palestine:
- We are horrified by recent events in Israel and Palestine, by the escalating violence and by the appalling loss of civilian life. We send our condolences to those who have lost loved ones.
- We condemn any targeting of civilians.
- We condemn the attacks on civilian targets in Israel by Hamas and we call for the immediate and safe release of hostages held by Hamas.
- We condemn the onslaught against Gaza by the Israeli forces. The destruction of large areas of Gaza, including residential buildings and healthcare facilities and the withholding of water, food and fuel amount to collective punishment of the civilian population.
- The Israeli instruction to more than a million civilians in northern Gaza to leave their homes within 24 hours is likely to lead to a further humanitarian disaster, including considerable further loss of civilian lives.
- Gaza has been subject to a 16 year blockade in conditions which have already been described as being like an open air prison for the 2.3 million residents.
- The unfolding horror is likely to exacerbate the conflict and will do nothing to resolve long standing grievances and disputes; notably the illegal occupation of Palestinian land; the regular expansion of illegal settlements and associated settler violence; and the widespread use of imprisonment without trial by Israel of Palestinians (currently 1,200).
- We send our solidarity to firefighters and other emergency service workers, delivering humanitarian service in the most appalling conditions. We will seek to build support and send practical solidarity where possible.
- In these circumstances it becomes ever harder to argue for a democratic and peaceful solution. We send our solidarity to those voices on both sides who have courageously sought to build dialogue and joint activity in the most appalling and challenging circumstances. This includes those in Israel who have opposed the occupation, defended Palestinian rights and argued for a peaceful and democratic solution.
