The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CCSO) has called on the United Nations to prevail on Israel to halt its war crimes by calling for a ceasefire.
The group, which disclosed this in a press conference, in Lagos, suggested that other nations of the world from the Arab World to Turkey and China must invest in the peace process to end the United States (US) monopoly.
The CCSO’s affiliate include – Work Bond International Network (WIN); Frontline Socio-Economic Research Centre (FSERC); Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights; Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA); Renaissance Group; United Action for Democracy; Centre for Policy Intervention In Africa (CEPIA); and International Institute for Human Heritage (IIHH),
The General Secretary of United Action for Democracy, Comrade Adekunle Wizeman-Ajayi, while addressing journalists, demanded the affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to the two-states solution not just by rhetoric, but by practical steps, which put relations with Israel on hold until Palestinians attained their independence.
“We demand the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador for his irrational attempt at justifying the horrendous atrocities of his home government. Nigeria must not be a haven for terrorists. We urge Nigerians to keep all eyes on this event and be prepared to go the long haul, especially with the BDS.
“We call on the world to rise in defense of justice and on the side of the oppressed. Palestinians are humans and they cannot continue to be treated as sub-humans.”
He condemned, in the strongest terms, the ongoing genocidal attacks by the Israeli army against defenseless civilians in Gaza among them women and children with the number of casualties rising.
“We declare that the death of over 500 Palestinians in a single Israeli strike at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, South of Gaza, on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 is a case of crimes against humanity that the International Criminal Court (ICC) must investigate and hold Israel accountable.
“It was the Israeli Army that asked Palestinians in Gaza to flee to a safe corridor. It is, therefore, reprehensible and callous for Israel to carpet-bomb the same place it chose as a safe haven for people fleeing its destruction in one part of Gaza. The bombing clearly attest to deliberate and well coordinated crime against humanity.
“The attempt by the duo of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and US President, Joe Biden to exonerate Israel of the bombing in hospital is shameful and condemnable. The argument that the bombing at the hospital was due to self-explosion is deceptive and a conspiracy in a genocidal mission.
“President Biden cannot walk back his talk. His promise to provide everything Netanyahu needed to prosecute this genocide is on record. The current US president shall answer to crime against humanity at the appropriate time. Biden’s refusal to call for a ceasefire and his open green-lighting of Israel’s premeditated genocidal mission are now well-documented.”
He said the massacre at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital targeted not just civilians taking shelter in the hospital, but also medical staff who were treating patients, the sick and the injured who had gathered there in the hope of recovery or rescue.
