United Nations, States Condemning Israel’s Killings in Gaza
A number of international actors have continued to speak out against Israeli’s killings in Gaza. For example, yesterday, August 3rd, the BBC reported that Israel stuck a UN school entrance in Rafah, killing ten individuals. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called the action a “moral outrage and a criminal act”, as well as saying that it was a “gross violation of international law.” It was said that many killed were citizens who were actually looking for a place to escape the fighting (Yahoo, 2014). And according to Ban Ki-Moon, Israel was told repeatedly where the school was located. He went on to say that “this madness must stop,” seeming to plea for an end to such Israeli actions in Gaza.
However, representatives from the United Nations were not the only entity to speak out again against Israeli actions. Jen Psaki, the spokesperson for the US State Department, said that
“[t]he United States is appalled by today’s disgraceful shelling outside an Unrwa school in Rafah sheltering some 3,000 displaced persons…” She also called for investigations regarding Israeli’s strikes at the schools (BBC, 2014).
In addition, in a Yahoo report, speaking about Israeli’s overall actions, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was quoted as saying that
“Israel’s right to security is total, but this right does not justify the killing of children and the slaughter of civilians.” Fabius also criticized Hamas’ actions, not excusing them for the responsibility they have in this fighting, but saying that they had no right to carry out this strike by the school.
He called for international actors to lead cease-fire efforts, and expressed France’s ability to help support an end to the conflict.
Hopefully more international pressure will be placed on Israel to end its strikes against civilians in Gaza. However, again, despite the rhetoric, key allies such as the United States government continues to offer military support to Israel, despite any statements criticizing Israeli’s actions.
