SPOT stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the siege of Gaza. We condemn the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas and the response of the Israeli government to collectively punish the Palestinian people.
Following the attacks on the 7th of October, Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was now at war with Palestinians, but the reality is that Israel has been waging a decades-long war, enacted to enforce a system of occupation, apartheid and colonisation.
The current assault on Gaza has included the bombing of hospitals, schools and other public buildings. The total blockade has prevented the entry of food, water, fuel and medical supplies. These acts of collective punishment and indiscriminate killing are prohibited under international law. The Israeli government has said it plans a weeks-long brutal assault on the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million residents, including a ground invasion.
Israeli politicians and military leaders are using genocidal language and threats. The Tory UK Government is backing the Israeli Government. Shamefully, Labour under the leadership of Keir Starmer has not demanded an immediate ceasefire. We call for this, and the opening of a humanitarian corridor to allow vital humanitarian aid into Gaza.
As SPOT we are also concerned about the absence of international action and assistance for the Palestinian people. Turkey and other nations need to reassess their trade and political relations with Israel right away to demonstrate their actions rather than words. Erdoğan needs to act immediately and stop trying to mislead the political arena with crocodile tears.
There was hardly $1 billion in trade between the two nations in 2002 when Erdogan took office. This trade volume rose under Erdogan. This sum increased to $6 billion in 2014. While Israel was purchasing more raw materials and oil products from Turkey, Turkey was purchasing tanks and other armaments from Israel. Erdogan temporarily cut off ties with Israel. However, business relations persisted even throughout this time.
We are concerned by the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia following the escalation of hostilities. We must work to build unity between people and oppose racism wherever it happens.
We support any workers and their unions who refuse to make or supply arms to the Israeli state. SPOT recognises that only through the achievement of the rights of the Palestinian people will a lasting peace be achieved.
photo credit: think0
