His Excellency Ambassador Ron Prosor
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy of Israel
2 Palace Green
London
W8 4QB

Saturday 17th January 2009

Your Excellency
I am very concerned at the current situation in Gaza. I feel that the use of weapons such as white phosphorus and the targeting of Universities, hospitals, mosques, schools and UN compounds constitute a grave breach of International law.

According to former US President Jimmy Carter, writing in the Washington Post on Thursday 8th January: `After 12 days of "combat," the Israeli Defense Forces reported that more than 1,000 targets were shelled or bombed. During that time, Israel rejected international efforts to obtain a cease-fire, with full support from Washington. Seventeen mosques, the American International School, many private homes and much of the basic infrastructure of the small but heavily populated area have been destroyed. This includes the systems that provide water, electricity and sanitation. Heavy civilian casualties are being reported by courageous medical volunteers from many nations, as the fortunate ones operate on the wounded by light from diesel-powered generators. `

Many innocent people in Gaza including children have been killed and orphaned,
hospital officials in the al-Quds hospital in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa districts alleged that a fire was sparked by “phosphorous shells”.

The disgaceful bombing of the UN al-Fakhura school in the Jabaliya refugee camp on Tuesday 6th January was especially outrageous

There can surely be no justification for the attack on the UN compound on Thursday 15th January that destroyed millions of dollars of desperately needed aid.

It is going to be extremely difficult for the people of Gaza to recover from the devastation they have suffered. I feel Israel has an obligation to make good all the damage caused.

Israel claims to be a democracy – in fact the only one in the Middle East – what sort of democracy does this to its neighbours and what sort of democracy denies its own citizens (the Arab parties) from running in upcoming elections.

I urge you to use your influence to get an immediate ceasefire which will benefit your country as well as the long suffering people of Gaza.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr Paul O’Hanlon