SHEFFIELD LIB DEM COUNCIL CONDEMNS GAZA VIOLENCE

12.00.00am GMT Wed 7th Jan 2009

Cllr Paul Scriven, the Lib Dem Leader of Sheffield City Council, has issued a statement on behalf of the whole Council regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Lib Dems have gained agreement to setup an all party working group to look into how the Council can, on behalf of local people, do its bit to bring about an immediate ceasefire on all sides.

The statement give by Cllr Scriven reads: -

"This Council is extremely concerned that many innocent people are being killed and injured by the Israeli military operation in Gaza which follows a devestating blockade. This Council believes that this disproportionate action will only serve to further inflame tension in the region and beyond. We are also concerned at the continuing rocket attacks on innocent civilians carried out by Hamas.

We notes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that "The current escalation of the violence only compounds the health situation" and that WHO warns of "a surge in preventable deaths from complications due to trauma". This Council therefore calls for an immediate ceasefire on all sides and urges that immediate humanitarian aid is urgently provided. Furthermore this Council believes that this issue can only be resolved by diplomatic and political means rather than violence and aggression.

We acknowledges the many people in Sheffield who feel saddened and distressed by the unfolding events and wish to help the people of Gaza."