Silence constitutes complicity in Gaza

Dr. Evangelos Venetis

Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy – ELIAMEP, Athens, Greece

Kathimerini, 02/08/2014

International law is violated openly and systematically in Gaza. The thousands of dead and injured Palestinian civilians manifest clearly that the Israeli attack on Hamas artillery is disproportionate. There is no international law prescribing that the right to safety can justify the occupation and slaughter of innocent civilians. The Israeli strategy in Gaza acts against the prospect of peace and the integrity and existence of the Palestinian people. Additionally there can not be a collective punishment of a people due to the policy of their government.

While Israel itself trying to maintain his own safety in a hostile environment, it is doomed to be a militarized state due to its policy in Palestine. The ground invasion of Israel in Gaza is fruitless and annuls the leading and realistic Sharon policy, returning to an ineffective past policy. Also Israel's policy in Gaza leaves exposed and vulnerable Mahmoud Abbas within the political arena of the Palestinians in the West Bank, jeopardizing its stability.

Greece with its special relationship with both Palestine-Muslim world and Israel needs to act fast and help break the deadlock in the context of international community. Greece needs to justify its special position in the world map of people who fought and fight for independence and human dignity. The Greek government should take the initiative in both the EU and the UN and regional bilateral level to raise awareness in the largely indifferent international community and stop the ongoing heinous crime. The mobilization of international justice remains a desideratum at this time. Undoubtedly silence is complicity.