People's Democracy

Condemn Israel's New War on Gaza

Prakash Karat, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and S Sudhakar Reddy, general secretary of the Communist Party of India, issued the following statement on November 16, 2012.

WE strongly condemn the renewed military attacks on Gaza. More than 250 strikes have been launched against Gaza in the last 48 hours, killing 18 Palestinians and injuring over 150. Those killed include Hamas military chief Ahmad Jaabari and four children. This aggression is similar to the last war that Israel had launched on Gaza in December 2008 in which 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.

The 1.7 million people of Gaza continue to remain under a brutal siege, with the Israeli stranglehold affecting even basic necessities such as food and medicine. Reports available indicate that hospitals are running out of medicine. Power and water supplies have been cut to the Gaza residents.

We call upon the Indian government to condemn the Israeli aggression on Gaza. India must also suspend immediately its military ties with Israel, as India's huge arms purchase helps to subsidise the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.