We write representing the views of a group of Jews in Scotland campaigning under the banner of Scottish Jews for a Just Peace, and add our voice to the condemnation of Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
While we condemn the launching of missiles from Gaza into Israel, this in no way justifies the disproportionate and excessive use of force by Israel, with over 120 Palestinians killed in the past week, many of them children.
With the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, talking of further fighting and escalation, this can only lead to more Palestinian deaths on a similar or greater scale.
Israel may blame Hamas for the latest escalation in Gaza, but we firmly believe that the root of the problem lies in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. With almost 1.5 million Palestinians confined in the world's largest open prison that is Gaza, and under a constant economic blockade, it is unfortunately not surprising that there is hatred of Israel among the Palestinians.
We deplore the actions of the Israeli state in its policy of depriving the Palestinians in Gaza of basic foodstuffs, fuel and medical supplies.
As Jews, we do not raise criticism of Israel lightly. However, we cannot stand by silently when such actions are supposedly carried out in the name of Jewish people.
Adding armed invasion to starvation is no way to achieve peace and flies in the face of the reported 64% of Israelis who believe their government should enter into ceasefire talks with Hamas. Israel's offensive has resulted in Mahmoud Abbas's moderate West Bank government suspending talks with Israel, compounding the situation.
We support the actions of Israeli organisations such as Gush Shalom and the Israeli Coalition against the Siege in calling for an immediate ceasefire and talks with Hamas. International pressure needs to be brought to bear on Israel and particularly via its main backer, America, to end further attacks on Gaza.
We call on Israel to halt any further attacks and enter into peace talks; meanwhile, we urge other Jews to add their voice to ours and join us on the all-Scotland anti-war demonstration in Glasgow on March 15, when we will be calling for an end to the siege of Gaza alongside the demonstration's demands for the troops to be brought home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Barrie Levine, Henry Maitles, Hilda Meers, Sinde Astraea, Michale Bouskila, Dr Alex Benchimol, Catherine Lyons, David Simons, Dr Katherine Lebow, Maurice Naftalin, Liz Elkind, Abigail Candelas, Suzanne Senior, Rebekah Gronowski, Benjamin Franks, Ellen Galford, Samuel Cohn, Dr Sarah Glynn, Ruth Clark, Keir Hardie, Ruth Sirton, Seymour Alexander, Mark Symonds, Ellen Galford, Judy Bury, Scottish Jews for a Just Peace (http://sjjp.org.uk) 24 Herriet Street, Glasgow.
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