YWCA of Palestine: Stand for peace, Stand up to occupation

The YWCA of Palestine issued the following statement today.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Martin Luther King Jr)

 
The world counts again the increasing death toll in Gaza from Israeli strikes targeting civilians, thus breaching international humanitarian law.
 
More than 830 people were killed, including children, women, health workers and journalists, and thousands wounded since Saturday, October 7th, 2023, until October 10th, 2023 (18:00 Jerusalem Time). In addition to the destruction of homes, residential buildings, property, and infrastructure, around 190,000 people were forcibly displaced due to fear, protection concerns, and the destruction of their homes. A full siege was imposed on the Gaza Strip to stop all deliveries of food, water, electricity, and fuel.
 
In these difficult times for the Palestinians, the YWCA of Palestine recalls its demand that human rights and international law be respected, affirmed, and protected for all. We support Palestine’s right to self-determination as guaranteed in UN Security Council Resolution 242 and as affirmed in Resolution 338. Peace with justice has been a constant vision and goal throughout the more than 130 years of our movement on this land.
 
Accordingly, we call upon the international community and policy makers to:

• Recognize the root cause of the unending situation and suffering: the Israeli Occupation. Hold Israel accountable for its continued violations of human rights in accordance with international law and the relevant international conventions.
• Take immediate and effective actions to put significant pressure on Israel’s occupation to stop the war against Gaza, protecting the lives of civilians.
• Provide urgent humanitarian assistance to address the consequences of ongoing aggression, and halting the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Support the rights of the Palestinians as articulated in the UN resolutions, especially the right to self-determination, freedom, independence, and return and to recognize the Palestinian State on the borders of 1967.

We will continue to pray for a peaceful resolution that extends human rights to the Palestinian people. True peace is based on justice and solidarity with the suffering and oppressed, which guarantee equal measures of freedom and security. Remember, you cannot stand for peace if you do not stand up to occupation.