Statement

For Immediate Release

January 7, 2008

NCCAR Condemns Israeli Destruction of UN Schools

Ottawa , ON – The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) unequivocally condemns Israel 's excessive and indiscriminate use of force in the Gaza strip which on this 11th day of Israeli operation involved the bombardment of a UN school used to shelter families.  According to UN reports, three artillery shells landed at the perimeter of the school were 350 people were taking shelter.  This has lead to the death of 40 civilians with 55 wounded some critically. Four UN schools have been destroyed by Israel in the past 24 hours.

NCCAR is overwhelmed with eye-witness reports from the ground of grave human rights violations and urges the Canadian government to be unequivocal in its condemnation of all civilian deaths equally and of Israel's excessive force.  "We cannot be hypocrites when it comes to serious violations of international and humanitarian law," said Bahija Réghaï, President of NCCAR.  "The situation in Gaza needs immediate attention and we urge our government and political leaders to intervene and to remind Israel of its obligations under international law."

Director of operations for UNRWA John Ging said in a statement yesterday that the school was "clearly marked with a U.N. flag and its location had been reported to Israeli authorities adding the "UNRWA regularly provided the Israeli army with exact geographical coordinates of its facilities and the school was in a built-up area.

“At what point does the federal government open its eyes and acknowledge publicly the atrocities being committed in Gaza by Israel , and find the courage to counsel its ally Israel to immediately halt these heinous acts,” asked Réghaï.

“If Canada's other political leaders don't take a stronger stance as well, the Prime Minister will have no motivation to do the right thing,” warned Réghaï who asked for an urgent meeting with The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff, in light of their inadequate statements on the crisis.

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Contact:

Samah Sabawi: 613-878-3965 - E mail: president@nccar.ca