Ramallah, 16-10-07: A series of Israeli military attacks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip today once again highlight the gap between Israel‘s rhetoric and the reality it is imposing on the ground, said Palestinian National Initiative Secretary General Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi MP today.
Two Palestinians were killed and four others wounded, including a journalist and a woman who remains in critical condition, when the Israeli military invaded the centre of Nablus this morning. Meanwhile, some 20 Palestinians were arrested around the West Bank, and a home was demolished in Qalqilia.
These attacks come just one day after US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice declared at a press conference in Ramallah that “Israelis and Palestinians are making their most serious effort in years to resolve the conflict” during a visit to the region ahead of the November peace meeting.
Her remarks contrasted with the latest comment by UN Special Rapporteur John Dugard, who said yesterday "every time I visit, the situation seems to have worsened."
Dr. Barghouthi pointed out that from 16 July when US President George Bush announced the November peace meeting until Condoleeza Rice‘s visit yesterday, the Israeli military killed 104 Palestinians (21 in the West Bank; 83 in the Gaza Strip; 12 children); injured 442 (251 in the West Bank; 191 in the Gaza Strip; 54 children); arrested 1,181 (1,096 in the West Bank; 85 in the Gaza Strip; 54 children); and set up 29 additional military checkpoints in the West Bank.
The MP concluded that the pattern of Israeli actions over the past three months has been confirmed by today‘s attacks, underlining that contrary to Ms. Rice‘s statements, "Israel’s behaviour is in no way consistent with preparations for peace”.