BNF condemns Israel attack

| Monday June 7, 2010 00:00

The unwarranted raid on a Turkish-led international humanitarian envoy to the Israeli blockaded Hamas-ruled Gaza-Palestinian territory runs against International law. 

It happened 80 miles from the mainland in international waters.We add our voices to those who hold that this was an act of state piracy and terrorism. This act of piracy and terrorism led to the loss of 19 innocent lives who were on a humanitarian mission.

We agree with the UN Security Council that there is need for an investigation.  The BNF further agrees with the Security Council on its condemnation of this act of terrorism and its call for the immediate release of ships and civilians held by Israel. 

However, we sharply differ with the Security Council on the idea that Israel should itself conduct an investigation into the flotilla incident. We wonder if it makes sense to ask an aggressor to investigate himself/herself, particularly one with such a history and record as Israel. What is required is an independent and international enquiry under the auspices of the  United Nations.

We applaud the bold diplomatic action by Spain and other countries to protest the actions by the Israeli State .The BNF is, however, shocked that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government which was loudly critical of the suspension of Togo from future CAF Tournaments, broke ranks from the rest of SADC on the question of Zimbabwe and called for the immediate arrest of Sudanese President, Al Bashir is mum on this incident.

We wish to reiterate our unwavering support for the people of Palastine. The BNF firmly believes that a lasting solution to the Middle East Crisis is for Israel to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967 which calls for Israel to withdraw to the 1967 borders and for all the countries in the Middle East, including Israel, to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries free from threat or acts of force.

The ruling BDP government should as a matter of urgency review its relations with Israel.

This should be done swiftly like it happened after some three Department of Wildlife and National Parks officers were arrested by Zimbabwean authorities after they mistakenly crossed into Zimbabwe.

The Botswana government took a decision to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe after the Zimbabweans decided to charge the three Wildlife Officers though this was reversed after some diplomatic maneuverings.

All contact with the Israel government should be reviewed otherwise we will be helping to keep afloat a terrorist state.

If we don't, we will be soiling our hands with the blood of the innocent lives that the Israeli government continues to butcher and therefore, we will be no different from the perpetrators. The BDP government should terminate all contracts that it has with Israeli companies and completely severe diplomatic ties with Israel.

This type of double standards in our Foreign Policy is exposing the BDP for what it really is. That it does not have an independent and transparent foreign policy. It must be noted by all that all lives are equal regardless of colour, religion, creed or nationality.

Moeti MohwasaBNF Information and Publicity Secretary