More Quotes
“Any process to resolve the crisis in Gaza in a lasting and meaningful way must lead to the disarmament of Hamas and all terrorist groups. And we will work closely with Israel and regional partners and the international community in support of this goal.” (US Secretary of State John Kerry at a press conference in Washington, 29/07/2014)
“We hope we can get a sustainable quiet as soon as possible. I think the only path to do that is by adopting the Egyptian initiative.” (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to CNN’s State of the Union, 27/07/2014)
“We are gathered here today not only because the law requires it, but also with a very clear message to our enemies: you have not overcome us and you will not do so … The Hamas terrorists may dig their tunnels, shoot from within schools, use civilians as human shields, but this terrorism will not drive us back, will not weaken our spirit. We are not fighting against the Palestinian people, and we are not at war with Islam – we are fighting terrorism.” (Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in his first official speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem, 24/07/2014)
“The UK is deeply concerned by the continuing bloodshed in Gaza. It is tragic that so many innocent civilians, including women and children, have been killed and injured. The urgent priority is to stop the bloodshed, restore a ceasefire and work for a longer term solution. All our efforts will be concentrated on that objective.
Today’s UN Human Rights Council resolution will not help achieve a lasting ceasefire. It is fundamentally unbalanced and will complicate the process by introducing unnecessary new mechanisms.” (British Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond MP in a Foreign Office Press release, 23/07/2014)
“The EU strongly condemns the indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas and militant groups in the Gaza Strip, directly harming civilians. These are criminal and unjustifiable acts. The EU calls on Hamas to immediately put an end to these acts and to renounce violence. All terrorist groups in Gaza must disarm. The EU strongly condemns calls on the civilian population of Gaza to provide themselves as human shields.” (A statement issued by foreign ministers of the EU’s 28 member states, following the monthly meeting of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, 22/07/2014)
“This crisis was triggered by Hamas raining hundreds of rockets on Israeli cities, indiscriminately targeting civilians in contravention of all humanitarian law and norms.
In the last fortnight, Hamas has fired 1,850 rockets at Israeli cities.
This unprecedented barrage continues to this moment, with Hamas rejecting all proposals for a ceasefire, including those put forward by the Egyptian government.
I have been clear throughout this crisis that Israel has the right to defend itself.
Those criticising Israel’s response must ask themselves how they would expect their own government to react if hundreds of rockets were raining down on British cities today.” (Prime Minister David Cameron in a statement to the House of Commons, 21/07/2014)