BRUSSELS, October 31, 2023 – Cooperators who have been affected by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas are appealing for financial support, according to the global apex body for cooperatives, the International Cooperative Alliance [ICA].
‘Following the escalation of violence in both Israel and Palestine that has brought suffering and loss of lives and livelihoods, we [ICA] stand in solidarity with our members in the region and all victims on both sides of the conflict. At this hour of need, we call on the international cooperative movement to support our fellow cooperators in Israel and Palestine. We have been in communication with our members who have requested financial support and have opened international accounts so that they can receive aid from international assistance.”
ICA has published bank details on its website for members willing to help fellow cooperators in both Israel and Palestine.
“ICA has been informed the funds will be used for humanitarian support and as assistance to cooperatives undertaken rescue and rehabilitation efforts. We encourage ICA members to support the efforts of the International Cooperative Movement to support those in need, mitigate hardships people are suffering, and build a sense of peace beyond political lines.”
Meanwhile, ICA’s statement on the call for peace in Israel and Palestine has condemned attacks on civilians on either side.
“Following the escalation of violence in both Israel and Palestine, the international cooperative movement stands in solidarity with all victims on both sides of the conflict and our members in the region. ‘We strongly condemn the attacks against civilian population and the kidnapping of civilians and call on the international community to support diplomatic efforts towards release, reconciliation, upholding international humanitarian law and respect for human rights.”
“We urge all parties to cooperate towards resolving this conflict peacefully, while safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of people on both sides and strive in earnest to reach a settlement through diplomatic means,” the statement further reads.
Hamas says it launched the attack on Israel October 7, 2023, as a response to the latter’s desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, continued Israeli settlements, and Israeli settler violence. Over 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed, including 260 people at a music festival in Re’im.
The number of people killed by Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues to climb, with the Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank saying the death toll has passed 8,000, with over 18,500 injured, drawing on data from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Human Rights Watch has called the territory an “open-air prison.” More than half of its population lives in poverty and is food insecure, and nearly 80 percent of its population relies on humanitarian assistance.
Hamas and Israel have fought several wars. Before the operation on October 7, the last war between the two was in 2021, which lasted for 11 days and killed at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel.
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