AFR: Jewish leaders in Morocco condemn Israeli Gaza offensive
16 Jan 2009 1:49 AM
RABAT, Jan 15 AFP - Jewish community leaders in Morocco on Thursday condemned the human cost of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Simon Levy, director of Foundation of Judeo-Moroccan Cultural Heritage, expressed his horror at what he said was the unjustified killing in the Palestinian territory, describing the situation as "more than deplorable".
"It's horrible and it is not like that that I see Judaism," he added.
He called on the international community to intervene to find a just solution.
The Council of Jewish Communities in Morocco (CCIM) issued its own statement condemning the violence in a statement sent to AFP.
"For more than two weeks the residents of Gaza, sitting targets, are suffering under the bombs, the widespread destruction, the lack of food and water..." said the statement.
"The pictures of Palestinian children torn from life are unbearable," it added.
"We, Moroccan Jews, are in solidarity with the innocent victims who are suffering, in Gaza and elsewhere," it went on. "No just and viable solution can be found through force."
The statements came as world leaders condemned the latest Israeli strikes, which set hospitals, media and UN buildings ablaze in Gaza.
Israel's 20-day-old offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed around 1,000 Palestinians, including at least 355 children, and wounded about 5,000 other people, according to Gaza medics.
Morocco's Jewish community numbers between 4,000 and 5,000 people.
