"This war is immoral," Palestine's Ambassador says
The Russian air company Transaero has cancelled all flights to Israel. A similar move has been made by US Airways, Delta Airlines, United Airways, Air France, Swiss Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Germany's Lufthansa. The decision has been made due to the tensions in the region. A missile recently hit the vicinity of Ben Gurion airport.
Russian President Vladimir Putin talked today to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and expressed Russia's concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Palestine. According to the Russian president, the continuation of violence may cause a tragedy. President Putin also said that Russia is ready to serve as a mediator, if Israel and Palestine would like to hold talks.
Palestine's envoy to Russia Faed Mustafa believes that "the Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has been taking place for two weeks, is an immoral war." "The aim of this war is to destroy us, to destroy our freedom and our future. It's a war aimed at destruction of our hope to have our own state. It's a war against our unity, a unity which was hard to reach and for which we have all been struggling for so long. The whole world agrees that there should be two states in the region, but now this idea is being sabotaged," the diplomat says.
According to Mustafa, 584 people have already been killed and 3650 wounded. 2200 houses have been destroyed, 18460 buildings have been destroyed. Many people in Palestine now lack water and power supply. Many people have been forced to flee as refugees, the envoy says. "The crimes committed by Israel should be punished. We welcome all who withstand this aggression, who support justice, who fight for good. We welcome efforts made by the Arab League and Egypt. We thank all countries who support us," he said.
The envoy stresses that the international community should demand that Israel raise the Gaza blockade. "It requires some serious steps made by the international community. Other countries should demand that Israel stops fire. The international community should support the establishment of a Palestinian state and demand that Israel free the occupied Palestinian territories. Our region deserves stability and peace. In order to secure peace one should stop the Israeli occupation," Mustafa says.
