Bahrain accuses Israel of derailing peace efforts
Bahrain on Thursday accused Israel of derailing all attempts to achieve peace in the Middle East, and urged the holding of an Arab-Islamic summit. "The world and history bear witnesses that Israel refuses to reinforce peace and wants to maintain the region in a state of war. Whenever the region draws nearer to peace, Israel creates a new problem. Now, following this ruthless aggression on Gaza, Israel has to contribute to the solution because if it does not, it will bear the blame," King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa said yesterday as he chaired an extraordinary cabinet session.
Syrian rally denounces 'traitors'
Tens of thousands of demonstrators, some of them cursing "Arab traitors," marched through the centre of the Syrian capital on Thursday in protest at Israel's continuing offensive on the Gaza Strip. Waving Syrian and Palestinian flags and brandishing photographs of Palestinian dead in Gaza, the protesters unfurled banners demanding "the end of aggression against our people in Gaza" and "the end of Israeli occupation," an AFP journalist reported.
Muslims failing to stop bloodshed
Iran's Supreme Leader said on Thursday some Muslim goverments in the region had been wrong not to do more to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza and would face "humiliation" in future at Israel's hands for failing to act. "Muslim nations and governments should realise that the nature and main goal of the arrogant system, [reflected in] Israeli crimes, is to completely destroy resistance in the region and dominate the Middle East," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in comments reported by state television.
Military options no solution, says Pope
Pope Benedict on Thursday condemned the use of violence by Israel and Hamas in Gaza. "Once again I would repeat that military options are no solution and that violence, wherever it comes from and whatever form it takes, must be firmly condemned," he said in a speech to diplomats from some 170 countries accredited to the Vatican. In the French-language speech about the world situation, he lamented "a renewed outbreak of violence provoking immense damage and suffering for the civilian population" and urged "the rejection of hatred, acts of provocation and the use of arms".
Malaysia calls for sanctions
Malaysia's leader on Thursday called for sanctions on Israel over its lethal military strikes on Gaza, saying the international community has a ´moral dutyª to save the Palestinian people. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a speech to Malaysian and foreign diplomats that international sanctions have been applied for various breaches of the code of international conduct, and should be expanded to include violations of moral standards. "On the issue of morality, Israel has to be sanctioned," Abdullah later told reporters.
Indian PM criticises assault
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday strongly criticised Israel's military assault on Gaza, saying India backed an international effort to end the violence. "India has strongly condemned these incidents" and hopes that the international community will "get together and help restore peace in the region as soon as possible," he told a meeting in Chennai. Singh also reaffirmed India's "unwavering support to the just cause of Palestinians."
KFC outlet under attack
Angry Indonesian students stormed a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on Thursday in protest against Israel's invasion of Gaza.
The protesters gathered outside the fast food outlet in Palu, Central Sulawesi, burning US and Israeli emblems. Some of the agitated students stormed the restaurant, overturning tables and chairs. "KFC's licence is from America, an important Israeli ally. Consuming US products means that we give financial contributions towards Israel's military strikes," said protest coordinator Maful Haruna.
- Agencies & Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief
