The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) today called on the parties to the conflict in the Middle East to avoid further escalation and prevent loss of life.
“We urge the international community to use all its influence to end violations of international law, including the forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, and to get all parties, Israeli and Palestinian alike, to step back and prevent suffering and loss of life,” said NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland in a statement.
“This latest violence also shows that the prolonged conflict and occupation are unsustainable. There can be no peace and security as long as there are systemic injustices, be it in the form of forced evictions, a siege on two million people or military repression of everyday life.” NRC was referring to the Israeli attacks against worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the planned expulsion of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood to replace with the Jewish settlers, as well the two-day long conflict between Gaza and Israel that has so far claimed the lives of 26 Palestinians in Gaza and two Israelis.