"It is ironic that this happened simultaneously with the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, while Israeli soldiers are brutally and blindly shooting Palestinians. It is an evidence which points out that Israel has deliberately committed genocide
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Deputy Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body (BKSAP) of the RI House of Representatives, Rofi Munawar, has criticized Israel`s actions, which has led to the death of more than 55 Palestinians on the Gaza Strip`s border with the annexed territory.

"It is ironic that this happened simultaneously with the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, while Israeli soldiers are brutally and blindly shooting Palestinians. It is an evidence which points out that Israel has deliberately committed genocide and premeditated murder," Munawar told media here on Tuesday.

He added that the United States should be responsible for the deadly incidents in Gaza Strip. "They are having a celebration amid the death of tens of Palestinians who fought for their homeland. The US has contributed to the darkest history of the peace process in the Middle East," he stated.

He explained that Palestinians have been protesting for nearly six weeks as part of the commemoration of the Nakba Day (the Day of Catastrophe).

"The Israeli strikes yesterday (May 14) killed tens of Palestinians, which is the highest number of deaths during the Nakba Day protests, which coincided with the day when the US opened its embassy in Jerusalem. It is very tragic and ironic. The UN must not stand still and must immediately take actions to respond to it," Munawar asserted.

The legislator explained that the majority of those killed were unarmed citizens. "The Palestinian authorities have stated that Israel committed a horrific massacre and called for international intervention to stop the killing," he explained.

"The Indonesian government should protest the event and play an active role in pushing its firm actions against Israel, which has committed a systematic and massive massacre," Munawar pointed out.

More than 1.2 thousand Palestinians were shot and wounded during Monday`s protests (May 14). According to the Palestinian health ministry, among the dead were six children under the age of 18. The youngest victim was a 14-year-old boy named Ezzaldeen Al-Sammak.

About 100 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since protesters started a series of the Great Return March six weeks ago, demanding their right to return to their homeland, which is now occupied by the Israeli colonialist.

Reporter: Libertina W. Ambari
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
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