Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., December 30, 2008 Tevet 3, 5769 | | Israel Time: 14:07 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 20:02 29/12/2008
Asian governments roundly condemn Israel's 'crimes' in Gaza Strip
By The Associated Press
Tags: Israel, Gaza, Hamas 

Egypt and Turkey are discussing measures to help end clashes between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers that have killed hundreds of people.

Egypt and Turkey both have tried to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians, and are urging the sides to show restraint.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit was meeting Monday with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan.
Advertisement
Gheit on Sunday called on Hamas to renew its truce with Israel, while Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described Israel's air assaults on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip as a crime against humanity.

The cease-fire began unraveling last month and formally ended more than a week ago. Gaza militants have since stepped up rocket fire on Israel.

China said it is shocked by Israel's attack on Gaza and has called for an immediate halt to the military campaign that has killed over 300 people.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang said in a statement on the Foreign Ministry's Web site Monday that "the Mideast peace process must continue and that realistic measures to ease the tension in Gaza should be carried out."

The appeal comes as Israel widened its air offensive that began Saturday against Gaza's Hamas rulers.

China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause, but it has recently built up relations with Israel. It has become a bigger customer of Israeli military technology.

China supports the efforts made by all parties, especially the Arab countries, to realize a comprehensive, just peace in the region, Li was quoted as saying Sunday during a trip to Kuwait by the official Xinhua News Agency.

Governments across Asia called for an immediate halt to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have killed nearly 300 Palestinians, with some accusing the country of crimes against humanity.

Israel has vowed to press ahead with the campaign despite enraged protests across the Arab world and some Asian countries, saying the goal is to protect its citizens from Hamas rocket fire.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attacks and appealed for the cessation of hostilities, saying they violated the UN Charter, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

"Violence aggravates conflicts and never solves them," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, expressing fears Israel's incursions would undermine attempts to negotiate a Middle East peace.

In Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, nearly 1,000 students waved Palestinian flags and chanted "Israel is the real terrorist" at the Hotel Indonesian traffic circle in downtown Jakarta.

"The Western countries are the concubines of America and the Jews," said rally coordinator Ferry Putra as the crowd chanted Free Palestine, destroy Israel.

The Indonesian government, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, pledged $1 million in cash and $200,000 in medical supplies for the victims of the bombings.

The vast majority of Muslims in Indonesia practice a moderate form of the faith. Although most back the creation of a Palestinian state, they do not support violence against Israel.

Government and opposition leaders of mainly Muslim Malaysia denounced the raids on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as a "crime against humanity" with Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri saying they were "tantamount to genocide."

Malaysia, a staunch supporter of a Palestinian state that also does not have formal political ties with Israel, said "there is no excuse for the disproportionate, indiscriminate and excessive use of force in Gaza."

India urges an "immediate end to the use of force against Palestinian civilians," a Foreign Ministry statement said. India hopes that ongoing efforts within the region to restore peace would be supported.

South Korea said Monday it was "seriously concerned" about the worsening security condition in Gaza and asked both Israel and Hamas to "stop using military power and initiate dialogue."


Related articles:
  • Hezbollah: Israel may take this opportunity to attack Lebanon
  • Hamas: Time for a third Intifada
  • 3 senior Hamas officers among 230 killed during IAF strikes in Gaza
  • Olmert: Our desire for quiet was met with terror
  • One Israeli killed, 4 hurt as Palestinian rockets hit Negev home
  • ANALYSIS / IAF strike on Gaza is Israel's version of 'shock and awe'
  • IN PICTURES / Gaza under attack
  • Bradley Burston / The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear in wartime
  • U.S. demands Hamas end terrorist acts, urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties
  • Israeli Arabs react with violence to IDF operations in Gaza
  • Israel to mount emergency international PR effort in wake of Gaza campaign
  • ANALYSIS / With Gaza raid, Barak is back in the political ring
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Army of martyrs
    Iran clerics enlist volunteers to fight 'Zionist regime' in Gaza.
    New anti-Semitism
    Greek paper: World Jewish plutocracy behind Gaza strife, global financial crisis.
      1.   The pot calling the kettle black 13:02  |  Mike 29/12/08
      2.   WE THE INDONESIAN 13:21  |  indrajaya 29/12/08
      3.   Interesting : what would do the Chinese in Taiwan? 13:41  |  Israeli citizen 29/12/08
      4.   #3 Israeli Citizen 14:18  |  Chris Linthwaite 29/12/08
      5.   Hypocrisy 15:01  |  Martin 29/12/08
      6.   We were occupied in Berlin, #2 15:11  |  Sophie 29/12/08
      7.   #4 Chris 15:21  |  Gail 29/12/08
      8.   #4 Chris 15:21  |  Gail 29/12/08
      9.   Haaretz`s "genocide" headline wrong 15:24  |  David Bardin 29/12/08
      10.   wow Pakisthan & Indonesia against Israel - what a surprise 15:27  |  A Proud Israeli 29/12/08
      11.   As long as Asian governments "condemn Israel" Gaza will 17:50  |  S 29/12/08
      12.   # 2 INDY...it would be better if the Pals 17:55  |  Lynn 29/12/08
      13.   #4 chris linthwaite LIES again. 18:18  |  CK Tan 29/12/08
      14.   Asian government 19:51  |  Brod 29/12/08
      15.   Indian Hindus Response 19:57  |  Ajay 29/12/08
      16.   are `enraged` muzzies simply incapable of justice? 20:45  |  frenz 29/12/08
      17.   Ajay 23:38  |  Jack Harris 29/12/08
     Read & React
    Rockets fired from Gaza kill 2 Israelis within hour
    Responses: 193
    ANALYSIS / Hamas is hoping for an IDF ground operation
    Responses: 96
    Grossman / Is Israel imprisoned in the ceremony of war?
    Responses: 87
    Prolonged Gaza operation spells trouble for Israel
    Responses: 25
    Chicago synagogue firebombed; police probe possible link to Gaza violence
    Responses: 3


    More Headlines
    14:02 Gaza rocket slams into home in Sderot, injuring one
    13:58 IAF strike hits home of top Hamas commander in Gaza
    13:37 Peres: Hamas rockets from Gaza on Israel 'have no point, no logic'
    13:35 ANALYSIS / Hamas is hoping for an IDF ground operation in Gaza
    13:22 IDF war games predict look of Gaza ground operation
    13:39 ANALYSIS / Israel's operation in Gaza is entering its problematic phase
    13:41 Chicago synagogue firebombed; police probe possible link to Gaza violence
    11:33 WATCH: Israel's attack on Gaza from the missiles' viewpoint
    16:50 IN PICTURES / Firestorm over Gaza
    13:42 Yemenites storm Egyptian consulate in Aden to protest Cairo role in Gaza blockade
    12:35 4-year-old who lost parents in Mumbai attack dies of long-term illness
    13:43 Pro-Palestinian activists say Israel Navy fired on protest boat off Gaza shore
    13:44 David Grossman / Is Israel too imprisoned in the familiar ceremony of war?
    13:45 France, Britain look to impose cease-fire in bid to halt Gaza operation
    13:46 UN official says Israel responsible for breaking truce with Gaza
    13:47 Amos Oz: Hamas responsible for outbreak of Gaza violence
    13:51 Gaza hospitals 'overwhelmed' by wounded from IDF strikes
    13:53 No rest for the shell-shocked in Ashkelon shelters
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Academic Studies in Israel
    All the Q & A at the IDC HERZLIYA Open House, January 9,2009
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved