15 May 2018
The Green Party is strongly condemning the slaughter perpetrated by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza overnight following
the opening of the new United States Embassy in Jerusalem, which has resulted in the murder of at least 52 civilians and
over 2400 injured.
This is the second deadly massacre of protestors perpetrated by the Israeli armed forces this year and is the deadliest
onslaught in Gaza since 2014.
“As predicted the opening of Donald Trump’s confrontational Embassy in Jerusalem has fanned flames of conflict and
death,” said Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.
“Rather than being a step towards peace the Embassy opening has acted as a flash point in the conflict and has been used
by the Israeli government to justify their massacre of Palestinians.
“Jerusalem is an internationally recognised disputed territory, and the fair division of it will be a component of any
enduring peace deal. The United States setting up an Embassy there purposefully undermines the Palestinian position and
makes peace less likely.
“This slaughter is all the evidence we need that Trump’s move makes peace less likely and makes life for those living in
Gaza more dangerous.
“Israel’s ongoing siege on Gaza constitutes a breach of international law and has caused an unsustainable humanitarian
crisis since 2009. The people of Gaza are a trapped population with no access to humanitarian aid or access to adequate
healthcare or education.
“The Green Party is calling on Israel to end its siege on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian Territories, and take
positive steps towards an enduring peace in the region.”
ends