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LDNU calls for peaceful action for Palestine

Kam, 8 Januari 2009 | 02:36 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
The Preaching Institution of Nahdlatul Ulama (LDNU) has called on preachers to initiate such peaceful actions as part of supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people ahead of the commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of Nahdlatul Ulama this year.

Chairman of LDNU KH. A. Nuril Huda said here Wednesday that the peaceful actions could be conducted by reciting qunut nazilah as well as providing assistance for Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine.<>

He said the solidarity and the real action toward the struggle of the Palestinian people should be appropriately managed and be coordinated with the government.

"LDNU call on preachers not to depart for Palestine. Perhaps we are going to die before fighting," KH Nuril told NU Online, adding that "Israel is the king of war."

"We still expect the government to send troops (to Palestine) because in terms of the war, the troops are in  charge," he said.

While as reported by Press TV, a United Nations agency said that nearly fifty percent of those killed in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip were women and children.

So far Israeli aggression since December 27, has killed almost 700 Palestinians and wounded at least 3,100 others while many are feared to still be under the rubble.

Doctors in Gaza have also confirmed the report by The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), saying that the main victims of Israeli strikes are civilians, many of whom are women and children. Thus far, over 200 children have been killed in Gaza.

Human rights organizations also expressed their grave concern over the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza after Israeli troops attacked a UN school in Jabalya where civilians had taken shelter.

At least 45 people were killed and dozens others injured in the attack, which Israeli officials tried to justify as an assault on a militant stronghold.

"The building was clearly waving a UN flag, there is no safe haven in Gaza. Look at what happened in Jabaliya yesterday," said Chris Gunness the spokesman for the UNWRA, the UN agency running the school.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the attack describing the act as "totally unacceptable."

"I am deeply dismayed that despite these repeated efforts, today's tragedies have ensued," Ban said, adding that "I call once again for an immediate ceasefire." (nam)