Tony Blair expressed his opposition to any attempt to impose a ceasefire on Israel at this moment during Prime Minister's Question Time on Wednesday.  In the discussion following the question posed by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell, he made it clear that the diplomatic process would only be possible when both sides commit. 

So what is happening in the meantime?
 
The BBC online reports 80 air strikes have been carried out by Israel on Thursday morning alone.  On Wednesday evening, Israel said a wave of aircraft dropped 23 tonnes of explosives on a bunker in the south of Beirut where senior Hezbollah figures, possibly including leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, were believed to hiding.  Wednesday's air strikes from Israel killed more than 60 Lebanese civilians, as two Israeli soldiers and a Hezbollah militant died in clashes.  The total number of Lebanese civilians dead since Israel’s onslaught began has risen to 300 today.  As each new day dawns, Israel is destroying Lebanese streets, homes, hospitals, every part of the civilian society and the country's infrastructure.  The Lebanese PM describes his country as being torn apart but the Israeli's are relentless with their attack. 

However, according to Blair, the attacks would stop if the kidnapped soldiers were released and in this case he would be "the first to say that Israel should halt its operations".  So is he not prepared to condemn Israel for their disproportionate, concentrated attack upon innocent civilians?  The BBC (online) has reported that a third of the dead in Lebanon are children.  The fierce cycle of violence in Gaza and Lebanon has escalated over the past 3 weeks destroying lives.  Without the engagement of international mediators the crisis is in danger of expanding into a war engulfing the entire region. 

This begs the question, why is the UK not calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire?

We urge our readers to contact their local MP’s demanding the intervention of the British government in applying direct pressure upon Israel to cease their attacks.  The collective punishment inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza and now in Lebanon must be stopped!

How to find your MP:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/PostalCode.asp?Source=SM

To find your MPS telephone number go to www.upmystreet.com/commons/  

Also, contact your MEPs to call for EU funding to be fully reinstated to the Palestinian Authority.

To find your MEP go to www.europarl.org.uk/uk_meps/MembersMain.htm

See our previous alerts for more info:

Action Alert: Beckett In Silent Agreement With Intensifying Israeli Attacks - Demand Action!

ALERT: Will Israel’s blanket bombardment Of Palestine and Lebanon Continue Without YOU Speaking Out?

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