
Israel's Deadly Attack On The Holy Family Church In Gaza Is A Heinous Crime And Crime Against Humanity
According to reports on the ground, the Holy Family Church is the only place of worship that until before this attack, that had survived Israeli aggression on Palestinian lands and territory. It is also reported that this Church was being used to serve as a sanctuary for dozens of internally displaced Palestinian families seeking refuge from the ongoing Israeli campaign of extermination of whole peoples, whole nations and whole regions, as well as the destruction of the environment.
We condemn these and all acts of terrorism against all peoples. NACI is committed to a culture of peace, non-violence and respect for the right to life. The violation of life committed in this latest Gaza Church attack is abhorrent and speaks of an atmosphere prevailing in occupied Palestine today, where every living thing is a target for liquidation with no exception.
However, we recognize that the ongoing unstopped genocide and race cleansing campaign on Palestinian Arab lands and territory, is aggravated by the unjust and race-filled structural system of the UN decision-making process, which allows Israel to launch brutal attacks on Palestine with impunity, and with no regards to international law and principles. This speaks of the absence of concrete action from the nuclear powers and permanent UN Security Council members-states, to protect and defend human rights and international law.
While we call for a structural reform of the process, allowing for more efficient and effective approach in resolving international conflicts and a better protection of civilians, NACI demands an end to the grave injustice meted on Palestinian Arab people. The current situation in the occupied Palestinian lands and territory has been lasting for over half a century, and there is no defined hope that the United Nations would be allowed to shoulder its responsibility, to resolve the Palestinian question.
NACI is deeply concern by the lack of alternatives to a violent intervention in the Palestinian situation. The latest Israeli attack on the Church in Gaza is a grave injustice and stands condemned by all. It is deserving of utter condemnation and repudiation by all elements of society, and has indeed been so condemned and rejected. For this, we appreciate the prompt statement issued by Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, expressing profound sorrow over the loss of life and injuries caused by the Israeli assault. The Pontiff reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire to allow peace to prevail in that region.
It is universally accepted that terrorism in whatever form or manifestation is unjustifiable and constitute heinous crime and crime against humanity, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. War criminals have of late find it a luxury to export their trademark to targeted countries of the world that are on the list for destruction.
In the face of Israeli brutality towards Palestine and other countries, the international civilized community must stand together to save humanity against actions of war criminals. We condemn the lack of respect of international law and the disregard for United Nations Charter, the core of Israel's regional and foreign policy towards its neighbors and humanity.
More so, we call on the United Nations Security Council to retrieve influence on the situation and to organize in order to ensure security in the face of violence and to guarantee justice for all Palestinian Arab people, whether living at home or displaced or in refugee camps or in exile. It is thus incumbent upon United Nations Security Council to immediately, and by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, to stand with all victims of such heinous attacks in occupied Palestine and around the world.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences go to the families of the victims in the Israeli attacks on the Church in Gaza, and wish a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured in this despicable act. NACI advocates the human rights and freedoms of Palestinian Arab people as they fight for their rights to exist equally with other human race and colour; and to uphold the rights of Palestinians to life.
God save Palestine and Palestinian people!
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Otago Daily Times
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- Otago Daily Times
Thousands pour onto iconic Sydney bridge for Gaza
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Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Otago Daily Times
Thousands pour onto iconic bridge for Gaza
One of Australia's most iconic landmarks has become the centrepoint of public resistance to Israel's military action in Gaza, with tens of thousands of protesters spilling onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On a wet and windy Sunday, hundreds of Palestinian flags could be seen fluttering in the breeze as protesters marched to spotlight suffering in Gaza. Rally organiser Palestine Action Group intends to draw attention to what the United Nations has described as worsening famine conditions in Gaza, as police flagged concerns of crowd crush. Police sought an order to prohibit the protest but Supreme Court Justice Belinda Rigg rejected the application on Saturday. With increasing concerns for public safety, the force has since permitted protesters to walk back southbound across the bridge to the Sydney CBD after the march was initially proposed to end in North Sydney's Bradfield Park. The bridge will remain closed to motorists for most of Sunday and the metro is out of commission with scheduled repairs. Several Labor MPs including former NSW Labor premier and former federal foreign minister Bob Carr joined the march in defiance of Premier Chris Minns alongside multiple Greens and independent colleagues. The premier previously warned the city would "descend into chaos" if the protest went ahead. In a statement, Mr Carr said Australians "want the Netanyahu government's humanitarian blockade to stop, the starvation and the killing to end". WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange joined Mr Carr at the rally. First time protesters and friends Ian Robertson, 74, and Greg Mullins, 66, said they hoped their attendance could make a difference. "The world's gone mad," Mr Mullins told AAP. "I came today because I don't want my kids telling me what were you doing when this mass murder and genocide was going on," Mr Robertson added. "It's horrific and awful, we can't bear watching it." Acting Police Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson earlier warned police would take swift action against anyone who sought to hijack the peaceful protest. "That's our message all the time, whether it's a public assembly or not. "I'm talking about anyone, I'm not talking about the actual protesters specifically, but anyone, that people are expected to obey the law." Mr Johnson also raised safety concerns, citing the rainy conditions and the number of demonstrators. "Crowd crush is a real thing ... but in this case, the risk is the numbers are unknown," he said. An estimated 25,000 are believed to be on the ground in Sydney, NSW Police told AAP. Federal Opposition leader Sussan Ley questioned the shutting down of a "critical piece of infrastructure" in Sydney. Formerly a pro-Palestinian MP in parliament before shifting her position, Ms Ley took aim at the protest organisers and suggested the rally be moved to another location. "I respect the right of free speech and protest, but this is taking it to another level ... the protest could happen elsewhere," Ms Ley told Sky News. Labor backbencher Ed Husic, who has been more outspoken on ending the war on Gaza, emphasised unity. "What we are seeing is that Australians are deeply affected by the images they are seeing out of Gaza," he told ABC TV. "They want to send a strong message through peaceful protests to governments, both here and abroad, that the killing has got to stop, the starvation has got to end." Several thousand protesters also marched through Melbourne to block a major CBD thoroughfare with many in the crowd banging pots and pans in a nod to mounting concerns about mass starvation in Gaza. More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza, according to local health authorities, while the United Nations says dozens of people have died in recent weeks due to starvation. Israel's military campaign began after militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking more than 251 hostages.


Scoop
15 hours ago
- Scoop
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I rarely visit Rome without stopping at the Campo de' Fiori to pay homage to Giordano Bruno, an Italian philosopher who, in 1600, was brutally burned at the stake by the Roman Inquisition. His crime was daring to challenge entrenched dogmas and to think freely about God and the infinite nature of the universe. As I stood beneath his imposing statue, a strange ruckus suddenly erupted, growing louder as a sizable group of protesters drew closer. Dozens of people of all ages banged on pots and pans with fervent urgency. Following the initial shock and subsequent confusion, it became clear that the protest was an urgent attempt to awaken people to the horrific famine unfolding in Gaza. In no time, more people spontaneously joined in, some clapping, having arrived unprepared with their own tools for protest. Waiters from the square's osterie instinctively began to bang their hands on anything that could generate sound, adding to the growing clamor. The square stood momentarily still, pulsating with the collective noise before the protesters marched on to another square, their numbers visibly swelling with each step. In the bustling streets of Rome, Palestinian flags were conspicuously the only foreign flags to occupy public spaces. They hung from light poles, were glued onto street signs or flew proudly atop balconies. No other country, no other conflict, no other cause has permeated public spaces as profoundly as that of Palestine. Though this phenomenon is not entirely new, the ongoing Israeli war and genocide in Gaza has undeniably amplified this solidarity, pushing it fiercely beyond the traditional confines of class, ideology and political lines. Yet, no other space in Italy can truly be compared to Naples. Palestinian symbols are everywhere, permeating the city's fabric as if Palestine is the paramount political concern for the entire region's populace. 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In politics, critical mass is achieved when an idea, initially championed by a minority group, decisively transforms into a mainstream issue. This crucial shift allows it to overcome tokenism and begins to exert real and tangible influence in the public sphere. In many societies around the world, the Palestinian cause has already attained that critical mass. In others, where government crackdowns still stifle the debate at its very roots, organic growth nevertheless continues, thus promising an inevitable and fundamental change as well. And this is precisely the haunting fear of numerous Israelis, especially within their political and intellectual classes. Writing in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on July 25, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak sounded the alarm once more. 'The Zionist vision is collapsing,' he wrote, adding that Israel is 'stuck in a 'war of deception' in Gaza.' Though Israel's pervasive Hasbara machine is relentlessly striving to stave off the surging flood of sympathy with Palestine and the rising tide of rage against Israeli alleged war crimes, for now its focus remains intently fixed on complicating the extermination of Gaza, even at the high price of global condemnation and outrage. When the war is finally over, however, Israel will undoubtedly exert its utmost efforts, employing numerous creative new ways to once more demonize the Palestinians and elevate itself—its so-called democracy and the 'right to defend itself.' Due to the growing international credibility of the Palestinian voice, Israel is already resorting to using Palestinians who indirectly defend Israel by faulting Gaza and attempting to play the role of the victim for 'both sides.' This insidious tactic is poised to grow exponentially in the future, as it aims directly at creating profound confusion and turning Palestinians against each other. Palestinians, Arabs and all supporters of justice worldwide must urgently seize this critical opportunity to decisively defeat the Israeli Hasbara for good. They must not allow Israel's lies and deceit to once more define the discourse on Palestine on the global stage. This war must be fiercely fought everywhere, and not a single space must be conceded—neither a parliament, a university, a sports event or a street corner. Giordano Bruno endured a most horrific and painful death, yet he never abandoned his profound beliefs. In the Palestine solidarity movement, we too must not waver from the struggle for Palestinian freedom and the accountability of war criminals, regardless of the time, energy or resources required. Now that Palestine has finally become the uncontested global cause, total unity is paramount to ensure the march toward freedom continues, so that the Gaza genocide becomes the final, agonizing chapter of the Palestinian tragedy. - Dr. Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of six books. His latest book, co-edited with Ilan Pappé, is ' Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out'. His other books include 'My Father was a Freedom Fighter' and 'The Last Earth'. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA). His website is