Ritchie Says Suffering And Misery On People Of Gaza Is Deplorable And Shocking

South Down Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) xa0has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemned the weekend escalation of violence. Ms Ritchie said the UN Human Rights Council’s decision to hold an emergency session on Wednesday demonstrates the urgency of the situation. Ms Ritchie said: “The escalation of violence over the weekend threatens to throw the region into further chaos, tragedy and devastation. There are those on both sides who will find the level of violence utterly abhorrent and we must encourage dialogue and an agreement. “While the firing of rockets by Hamas is, and always has been, wrong, the disproportionality of the response is self-evident. To deny this would be to intentionally remove ourselves from our own responsibilities. No people should have to endure the level of sustained attack which the Palestinian people have faced, and the distressing images of the casualties should give all sides a clear compulsion to end the violence. Given the extremely high level of civilian casualties, especially young people, the international community has a clear moral commitment to ensure the Israeli government is held to account under international law for any attacks on civilian and residential areas. “Under international law governments have to do all that they can to minimise civilian casualties and sadly there is scant evidence that this has been the case in Gaza. Recent reports of the use of white phosphorus are also deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly. The suffering and misery being heaped upon the people of Gaza is utterly deplorable and shocking. Likewise, the indiscriminate firing of rockets into crowded civilian areas by Hamas is completely unacceptable and, sadly, only gives succour to those who want to perpetuate the conflict. “I have been somewhat disappointed by the UK government’s and wider international community’s lax approach to this. On the UK side there has been little official condemnation of the civilian deaths in Gaza and little pressure exerted to bring an end to such killings. There has also been an emphasis on the Prime Minister Cameron’s communication with the Israeli PM with little indication that he has reached out to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “Beyond an immediate cessation of the current violence the need for a lasting settlement is clear, otherwise this cycle of permanent instability and outbursts of violence will continue.”