Derry's Bloody Sunday Trust: '6500 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in last 15 years'

Derry's Bloody Sunday Trust has said it is incorrect to describe the actions of Hamas as "unprovoked".

Speaking about the ongoing situation in Gaza, Trust chairperson Tony Doherty said the organisation was "opposed to all killing of civilians in acts of war, be it carried out by Hamas or the Israeli government".

Mr Doherty addded: "It is nonetheless incorrect to describe the actions of Hamas as unprovoked.

Derry Palestine Solidarity rally at Free Derry Corner

Israel's Minister of Defence orders no food, water, fuel and medical supplies to Gaza

"We agree with the comments made by Mustafa Barghouti, of our partner organisation the Palestinian National Initiative, when he said: 'This situation that has evolved is a direct result of the continuation of the longest occupation in modern history, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land since 1967. 56 years of occupation that has transformed into a system of apartheid, a much worse apartheid than had prevailed in South Africa.'"

Tony Doherty said: "Israel has been waging a war against the Palestinian people for over seven decades through ethnic cleansing, occupation, apartheid and a brutal siege on Gaza. 

"In the 15 years prior to last weekend almost 6500 Palestinians have been killed by Israel. In the same period just over 300 Israelis were killed (UN statistics).  
  
"Since 2007, the people of Gaza have suffered under a complete blockade imposed by Israel, which is a collective punishment of its entire population.  This ongoing blockade is destroying the lives of over two million Palestinians, many of whom are
living in extreme poverty with little access to clean water and about four hours electricity per day. 
  
"Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have been forced to live under an apartheid regime which denies them even basic elements of freedom. The Israeli army is constantly raiding Palestinian cities and refugee camps, while their government gives
illegal settlers a free hand to seize more and more Palestinian land and property, protecting them as they kill or maim Palestinians trying to defend their homes. 
 
"The Palestinian people have the right under international law to utilize armed resistance in the struggle for freedom and to defend themselves against Israeli aggression. 

"The attacks this weekend by Hamas must be seen in light of this situation. While they were wrong, they were a reaction to the situation imposed on the entire Palestinian population by the Israeli government.   
  
"The Israeli reaction to these attacks, which has seen the blanket bombardment of Gaza and the cutting off of all basic humanitarian supplies, is a gross act of injustice which should be taken to the International Criminal Court for judgement as a war crime. A so-called sovereign government, with access to a sophisticated modern army, has different responsibilities and must be made to adhere to them.  
 
"There can be no military solution to Israel’s crisis with Gaza, nor to the resistance that naturally emerges as a response to violent apartheid. 

My Palestine experience

Derry Now reporter, Toby Doherty, recently visited Palestine to volunteer with a local organisation and learn about life in the occupied West Bank

"Those states who choose to make excuses for Israel, who continue to help them, who arm them, will find themselves on the wrong side of history when this injustice is finally properly recognised and condemned by all."