Gaza ceasefire welcome but questions remain says MEP

4.05.00pm GMT Mon 19th Jan 2009

Liz Lynne, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands, has said she welcomes Israel's ceasefire agreement but that there are still questions to be asked, including whether war crime charges should be brought against Israel in the wake of the violence.

During the 22 day campaign there have been numerous reports of Israel using brutal and even illegal tactics against Gaza's citizens. These include the bombing of a UN school where men, women and children were sheltering, as well as the alleged use of White Phosphorous shells and so-called 'Dime bombs' which contain the metal tungsten which causes horrific damage and is very difficult to treat. There are also some reports of Israeli weapons causing injuries that doctors in Gaza have never seen before and are finding impossible to treat.

Whilst neither White Prosperous nor Dime bombs are classed as chemical weapons, and so do not break the International Chemical Weapons Ban, many have argued that their use in such a heavily populated region as the Gaza Strip is a breech of international law concerning the use of conventional weapons.

Speaking today Liz Lynne, who is a member of the European Parliament's Sub-Committee on Human Rights, said that there needs to be a thorough investigation of the tactics used by Israel and, if war-crimes have been committed, then the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

Liz said:

"Whilst I condemn the rocket attacks by militants within Hamas, the Israeli response has been entirely disproportionate. What is more, I believe that the reason that the ceasefire broke down and the rocket attacks by the militant wing of Hamas started again was partly due to the refusal by Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza.

"Israel has for many years been in breach of international law concerning the collective punishment of citizens through its continued food, aid and fuel embargo of the Gaza Strip, and now it would seem they have gone even further. Apart for the horrendous loss of civilian life it will have radicalised even more young Palestinians.

"It is vital that a full and independent investigation is carried out as to whether Israel's actions breach international rules on the use of force and that if Israel is found to have used illegal tactics they are brought to justice.

"I call on the UK government, the incoming US President Barack Obama, the EU and the rest of the international community to ensure that any illegal actions by Israel do not go unpunished and that they all stand shoulder to shoulder in condemnation of any breaches of international law by the Israeli Government."

ENDS

Notes:

• War crimes can be tried in a number of ways including:

• The International Criminal Court, although Israel has still not signed the agreement creating the court

• A Special Court created by the UN Security Council, however there are fears that the USA would veto any moves to create such a court in this instance

• By Israeli courts

• By any country claiming International concern- this means that the UK could claim the right to try Israeli Generals in the UK court System if they were to arrive on UK soil.