APN to Obama: Prevent Gaza Escalation

“We call on the Obama Administration to work for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for long-overdue, long-term, sustainable arrangements providing security and dignity for Israeli and Palestinian civilians...” APN

Recent victim from Israeli attacks on Gaza. Photo: Hamas

(WASHINGTON DC) - Americans for Peace Now (APN) today called on the Obama Administration to work with Israel, Egypt, and Palestinian leaders to urgently advance diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire on the Israel-Gaza border. Commenting on the current escalation, APN President and CEO Debra DeLee stated:

“The escalating violence on Israel’s border with Gaza is deeply alarming. Once again innocent Israelis are being targeted by mortar fire, while innocent Palestinians are caught in the crossfire as Israel exercises its legitimate right to self-defense. If left unchecked, this situation could deteriorate into far greater tragedy for both Israelis and Palestinians. Nobody should forget the last Gaza War and the misery, fear, and destruction that it wrought for both peoples.

“We unequivocally condemn intentional attacks on Israeli civilians by Gaza-based Palestinian terrorists and support Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of such attacks. At the same time we call on Israel to redouble its efforts to avoid harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip and to recognize the danger of escalation.

"The situation on Israel’s southern border cannot be allowed to spiral out of control. We urge an immediate halt to the hostilities, followed by long-term arrangements to provide the normal life that Israeli and Palestinian civilians deserve. We have been calling for such sustainable arrangements for years. Such arrangements may well have prevented the current escalation and today can prevent a deterioration of the immediate crisis into another disastrous war between Israel and Gaza. The suffering of innocent civilians on both sides cannot continue. The only reasonable and lasting way to stop it is through sturdy political agreements.

“We call on the Obama Administration to work for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for long-overdue, long-term, sustainable arrangements providing security and dignity for Israeli and Palestinian civilians. The Obama Administration should work closely with players such as Egypt and the European Union to press for a ceasefire, bolstered by comprehensive arrangements that take into consideration Israel’s legitimate security requirements as well as the humanitarian requirements of the civilian population in Gaza. Efforts to achieve a political arrangement for Gaza should be accompanied by diplomatic efforts to advance a conclusive and viable Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.”