Israel Attacks UN Gaza Convoy - ADC Repeats Calls for Investigations

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Posted Jan 8, 2009      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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Israel Attacks UN Gaza Convoy - ADC Repeats Calls for Investigations into Israel’s Continued Violations of the Laws of War

Washington, DC | January 8, 2009

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) today called on the United States Government; including members of Congress, and the international community; including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to investigate an Israeli military attack earlier today on a United Nations relief convoy resulting in the death of one UN relief worker and the injury of two others.  The attack took place as the convoy traveled to the Erez border crossing to pick-up humanitarian supplies that were to have been allowed into Gaza during a three-hour ceasefire.  UN sources have indicated that the attack by Israeli ground forces took place despite the convoy’s coordination of its movement with Israel.  It is a violation of international humanitarian law and the laws of war, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, to target or attack civilian aid workers or emergency medical personnel engaged in the evacuation and treatment of victims.  Further, the Associated Press is now reporting that the United Nations on Thursday said it was halting aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, citing the danger its staff was under from the Israel Defense Forces.

Israel’s overwhelming attacks on Gaza, now in their 12th day, have far killed 707 people, including 219 children, 89 women, and 12 paramedics whose ambulances were targeted as they attempted to reach the injured.  The Israeli attacks have also injured over 3,100 people, 46% of whom are women and children, many being maimed for life.  Israel has also destroyed 12 Mosques and targeted two UN-operated schools, including an attack three days ago which 40 civilians who were seeking shelter from the Israeli onslaught in the school.  Since the Israeli attacks began, rocket fire from Gaza has killed 6 Israelis including one soldier.  The Israeli army said four of its soldiers had been killed in two separate friendly-fire incidents on Tuesday, when errant Israeli tank shells hit their positions and 60 Israelis have been injured by rocket attacks launched from Gaza into southern Israel. 

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The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non sectarian and non partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980, by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states.
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American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee | http://www.adc.org

 

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