January 21, 2008


ISLAMIC CONGRESS AND ARAB FEDERATION CALL ON ALL CANADIANS TO CONDEMN CONTINUING ISRAELI WAR CRIMES IN GAZA

The Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) and the Canadian Arab Federation
(CAF) today called on all Canadians and people of conscience
everywhere to condemn ongoing Israeli war crimes against Palestinians
in Gaza.

Last week the Apartheid regime of the Jewish state escalated its
genocidal crimes against the indigenous people of Palestine.

"Israel is using its military resources solely for the purpose of
collectively punishing civilians in the Gaza Strip," said today's CIC
- CAF statement. "This is a clear war crime and a blatant violation of
the 4th Geneva Convention."

On Sunday, the only functioning power plant in Gaza was shut down due
to Israel's blockage of fuel shipments, leaving 1.5 million
inhabitants without electricity, water, or fully functional medical
facilities. Children on life-support systems in hospitals are dying.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights reported that during the past
three days alone, nine Palestinians, including four civilians, have
been killed by Israeli Occupation Forces. Three of the civilian
victims were women.

In addition, 57 others - the majority of them also civilians -- were
injured.

On Friday, January 18, shrapnel from a bomb dropped by an Israeli
fighter jet onto a government building hit a nearby wedding
celebration, killing one woman and injuring dozens of others. John
Dugard, UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the
occupied Palestinian territories, stated that "those responsible for
such cowardly action are guilty of serious war crimes and should be
prosecuted and punished for their crimes."

Palestinians continue to endure death, deprivation and destruction
under more than 40 years of brutal Israeli occupation that has become
an insidious and unremitting genocide.

"The world can no longer afford to stand by and watch from the
sidelines as an entire people slowly bleeds to death," the CIC and CAF
warned. "The Canadian Government and the United Nations are under both
a legal and a moral obligation to compel Israel to cease its actions
against Gaza and to ensure respect for international law and protect
civilian life," stated Khaled Mouammar, CAF National President.


CONTACTS:

Dr. Mohamed Elmasry,
National President
Canadian Islamic Congress
(519) 498-1350

Mrs. Wahida Valiante,
National VP
Canadian Islamic Congress
(647) 802-8024

Imam Dr. Zijad Delic,
National ED
Canadian Islamic Congress
(613) 698-8469

Khaled Mouammar
National President
Canadian Arab Federation
(416) 879-6766

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