JAMAICA | PNP Condemns Hamas attack, Carpet bombing of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel, Calls for immediate ceasefire

KINGSTON, Jamaica. October 22, 2023: The People’s National Party says it notes with great concern, the escalating conflict in the Middle East and its tragic consequences on civilian populations.

In a statement, the PNP says it "acknowledge that these events are another sad and terrifying chapter in the protracted Israeli/Palestinian conflict that has remained unresolved for over half a century. In particular, Israel’s encouragement in recent years of the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and its oppressive measures of control imposed on the Palestinian population, have undermined the prospects for a two-state solution that can bring lasting peace to this region."

"While the immediate trigger of recent events was Hamas's depraved and despicable attack on Israel on the 7th October, 2023 in which over 1,300 innocent Israeli civilians were brutally murdered, Israel's disproportionate and devastating response has led to a grave humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The world is appalled by the rising death toll of thousands of Palestinian civilians from Israel’s continuous airstrikes in Gaza, and the intensifying suffering of the civilian population from Israel having shut down access to basic human needs such as water, electricity and food supplies," the PNP said.

The Jamaican Opposition Party said "amidst the humanitarian tragedy resulting from this unconscionable siege and the indiscriminate deaths and damage from extended air strikes, the People’s National Party calls upon Israel immediately to cease all aspect of collective punishment of the civilian population in Gaza.

"We stand in solidarity with CARICOM and urgently call upon the international community, through the United Nations, to demand an immediate ceasefire and end of indiscriminate hostilities by all parties. Established diplomatic channels and dispute resolution methods must earnestly be pursued, as they offer non-violent alternatives to violence and terrorism.

"We implore the United Nations Security Council not only to enhance its surveillance and monitoring of the situation but to actively pursue an immediate halt to indiscriminate hostilities, allowing humanitarian efforts to be supported while working towards ending the conflict as swiftly as possible.

"Our party remains committed to closely monitoring the situation and will issue updates to this statement as circumstances evolve," the PNP concluded.

-30-