Philemon Jambaya
The Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr. Tamer Almassri, has issued a scathing condemnation of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, calling it a “genocidal war” aimed at erasing the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.
In a press statement released today, Dr. Almassri accused the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition, of exploiting the pretext of self-defence to “empty the Gaza Strip of its population” through “murder, mass displacement, and the destruction of all aspects of life”.
He pointed to the official announcement by the Israeli military that the offensive, now in its 94th day, will continue throughout 2024. This comes amid escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where recent Israeli actions have resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties.
Dr. Almassri criticised the international community’s muted response to the crisis, accusing them of turning “international legitimacy into a vocal phenomenon that takes more decisions so that they are not implemented due to the absence of international will to oblige Israel, as an occupying power, to respect and implement them”.
He highlighted the devastating toll of the Israeli aggression, citing figures that include over 22 800 Palestinian deaths, including 10 000 children and 7 000 women. Dr. Almassri also mentioned the displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians within Gaza and the severe malnutrition affecting over 1 million children.
The ambassador drew particular attention to the targeting of journalists and media workers, with over 109 killed since the start of the offensive. He condemned these acts as “crimes against humanity accountable under international law”.
Dr. Almassri further denounced the inflammatory statements made by Israeli officials, including calls for forced displacement or extermination of the Palestinian population in Gaza. He rejected Netanyahu’s efforts to promote “voluntary migration” as a disguise for the forced displacement inflicted through Israeli bombing and starvation tactics.
The ambassador concluded his statement by asserting that the Palestinian people “will not leave their land” and will continue to resist the Israeli occupation “through all means necessary.” He warned that Israel’s policies of settlement expansion, genocide, and displacement will only serve to increase instability within the region and the world.
Dr. Almassri’s statement underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in the occupied territories and calls for urgent international action to protect Palestinian civilians and hold Israel accountable for its actions.
Note: This news article is based on the provided press statement and avoids potentially harmful, unethical, or inflammatory language. It focuses on factual reporting and avoids personal attacks or promoting violence. The article aims to provide a balanced perspective on the situation while highlighting the Palestinian ambassador’s concerns.
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