Ramallah, 26-05-07: The Information Minister and Official Spokesman of the Palestinian government, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi re-appealed today for intervention by the international community to place pressure on Israel to halt the openly declared war against the Gaza Strip. He underlined the irony between the stands of the Palestinian National Unity Government and the Israeli government in that, at a time when the Palestinian Government has launched an initiative for a comprehensive, reciprocal and simultaneous ceasefire, the Israeli government is issuing orders to kill Palestinians, causing instability in the whole region
Furthermore, Barghouthi confirmed that since the formation of the Palestinian National Unity Government nearly two months ago, Israeli attacks have left 72 Palestinian dead, mostly children and civilians in comparison to one Israeli killed by a missile from the Palestinian side.
Dr. Barghouthi expressed astonishment at the international community’s total silence towards the Israeli attacks perpetrated against the Palestinians and its continuous breaching of international law, the Fourth Geneva Convention and several United Nations Security Council resolutions .
Commenting on a call by EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana for the Palestinian government to carry out its duties, Dr. Barghouthi called upon the whole world, Solana included, to lift the embargo imposed on the Palestinian government, which represents 96% of the Palestinian electorate. He also stressed the need for immediate recognition of the Palestinian government, and of exerting pressure on the Israeli government to release all Palestinian tax revenues, amounting to some US$850 million, to enable and empower the Palestinian government carry out its duties.
Dr. Barghouthi said "we hope that the international parties will place pressure on Israel to positively consider the Palestinian initiative for a comprehensive, reciprocal ceasefire, and to stop violations and military escalation against the Palestinians.
Palestinian Ministry of Information
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E-mail: pressoffice@minfo.gov.ps
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