"Such an attack cannot be termed as 'self-defence'," stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "This is not just an attack on so-called militants, rather it is an attack on the innocent men, women and children of Gaza as well. The Israeli bombs are not differentiating between military targets and civilian ones; rather they are also falling upon schools, homes, hospitals, parks and places of worship. Israel continues to violate international humanitarian law and any nation watching in silence is complacent with these war crimes."

With 1.5 millions inhabitants, Gaza is the world's most densely populated city. Over the past two years, the city has been under a strict Israeli blockade, resulting in an extreme shortage of food, water, medicine and fuel for its inhabitants, threatening the people of Gaza with severe malnourishment, poverty and death. The recent onslaught only further exacerbates the misery and devastation.

"It is time for the Canadian government to take a firm stand for justice and peace," Elmenyawi said. "We must condemn in the strongest of terms such an excessive, illegitimate and disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military. How many more innocent lives must be lost before we will say enough is enough?"

Israeli troops began a ground incursion into Gaza on Saturday, after 8 continuous days of airstrikes. Thus far, the Israeli attack on Gaza has killed over 500 people, many of which are civilians, and injured over 3,000. The death toll continues to rise rapidly as Israel relentlessly continues its attack each day. This is the single largest assault on the Gaza Strip since 1967, when Israel's illegal occupation of the land began.

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi          (514) 748-8427

Bashar Elsolh                (514) 983-5323

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

P.O. Box 180 St-Laurent Stn,

St-Laurent, Qc., H4M 1Z1

E-mail:    info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org