class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>
Ibrahim Khraishi (66) is the Palestinian ambassador to Switzerland and represents the Palestinian Authority at the United Nations in Geneva. The trained doctor comes from an old West Bank family. He is currently campaigning in Geneva to stop the violence. He answers Blick’s questions on the phone.
Regarding Hamas’s attacks from the Gaza Strip on civilians in Israel, Khraishi said: “I condemn any form of violence against the civilian population. From all sides. Every civilian casualty is a tragedy.”
But he immediately points to the responsibility of the Israeli state. “We must also see that Israel has been continuously attacking civilian targets in Palestine for years.” The ambassador does not want to talk in depth about Hamas’ terrorist acts, but instead wants to criticize Israel.
“We have differences of opinion”
Khraishi notes that not the entire Palestinian population is united behind the radical Islamic Hamas. “We have our differences,” he says, “we do not support violence.” And once again he brings the state of Israel into play: Israel has also been using violence against civilian targets in Palestine for decades.
“We have been warning for years about an explosion of the situation,” Khraishi explains. The Palestinians have not only been living in occupied territory since Saturday. Over the past two years, systematic attacks on the Palestinian people have increased. “Human rights violations happen every day without international punishment.”
The ambassador sharply criticized the Israeli prime minister: “The Netanyahu government’s daily racist statements add even more fuel to the fire.” The Palestinian side is willing to implement UN decisions, while the current Israeli government refuses to do so. “They are pushing for the occupation of Palestine.”
Call for a ceasefire
This is causing suffering in the Gaza Strip. The population lives in fear. “More than 600 Palestinians have died since Saturday, including 100 children and 80 women.” No one is safe right now. Even ambulances were attacked and three hospitals were hit by bombs. And now an Israeli ground offensive is looming. The ambassador fears: “There will be an incredible number of victims – especially civilians.” The violence must stop now.
A ceasefire is now urgently needed, Khraishi says, demanding: “Put down your weapons! All!”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
