Middle East Peace Process

by Zhang Mingai

In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn, Yousuf Ramadan, the counselor of the Palestinian Embassy in Beijing, denounced the continuing Israeli airstrikes on Gaza as "a genocide against humanity not just against the Palestinian people". He appealed to the international community to act urgently to stop the attacks and lift the siege of Gaza.

Palestinians inspect a destroyed building of Hamas TV following an Israel air strike in Gaza Strip December 28, 2008. Israel launched air strikes on Gaza for a second successive day on Sunday. [Xinhuanet.com]

"The Israeli air strike is a genocide against humanity, not just against the Palestinians, and the international community should do its best and exert every effort to stop this genocide," said Yousuf Ramadan. "We also request the international community and all of our friends all over the world to lift the siege, the unfair Israeli siege, so as to allow humanitarian aid, medicine and food into Gaza area."

Mr. Ramadan said the Palestinians were ready to negotiate a cease fire with Israel but warned that "no-one is going to surrender; no-one is going to raise the white flag."

Mr Ramadan dismissed suggestions that the Palestinian National Authority would exert pressure on Hamas, saying that the Israeli attack was against the Palestinian people as a whole, and that what he described as "past misunderstandings" between the PNA and Hamas had been shelved. "A rocket from an airplane does not know who is Hamas and who is not. It is a blind rocket," he said.

Drawing attention to the loss of civilian life, Mr Ramadan said "up till now we have lost 28 children and more than 20 women." Regarding the police, who account for the highest number of casualties, Mr Ramadan said that under international law, policemen are classified as civilian, not military personnel.

Asked about Israeli accusation that Hamas provoked the attack, Mr. Ramadan said, "Hamas is a resistance movement. Palestine is still under occupation. Under all international law a people under occupation has the right to defend itself. What do you expect from a people under siege, with no electricity, no food, no fuel, no medicine? Do you expect them to die quietly?"

Mr. Ramadan said Israeli talk of self-defense was just an excuse, and that the real reason for the attack, revealed by its timing, was the upcoming Israeli election. "[Tzipi] Livni and [Ehud] Barak are facing defeat in the election. If they increase their aggression against Gaza it will increase their votes and their chances of winning the election," said Mr. Ramadan. "So I guess they will continue their aggression. More people will die and more people will be injured. And they will get more votes."

Palestinian fire fighters extinguish a fire following an Israel air strike in Gaza Strip December 28, 2008. Israel launched air strikes on Gaza for a second successive day on Sunday, piling pressure on Hamas after 310 people were killed in one of the bloodiest 24 hours for Palestinians in 60 years of conflict with the Jewish state.[Xinhuanet.com]

(China.org.cn December 29, 2008)