ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT – MAURITIUS STANCE and Opposition PQ- Silence of the Press including the MBC
09.12.2023
Below LALIT is publishing the Prime Minister’s Statement of 5 December 2023 on Mauritius’ stand on Palestine, together with the answer to a Parliamentary Question on the issue the same day. Taken together the two statements summarize how the Mauritian government sees the Israel-Paletine conflict. [Both are taken from the unrevised Hansard.] The quasi-total silence of the press and even the MBC on all these stands speaks volumes. Even what the State says is not given media coverage.
In Mauritius, it would seem that the Press and the Catholic Church are on the wrong side of history once again. They were against universal suffrage, Independence and even overthrowing Apartheid in South Africa. Now, their position manifests itself by their incapacity to take a public stand against the Israeli state’s crimes against humanity, cruelty, apartheid, continued colonization and occupation.
Although in public, no-one to our knowledge takes a stand in favour of Israel over the bombardment of Gaza, the Press and the Catholic Church manage not to take position against the genocide, even as it unfurls in all its horror, before our very eyes.
For the record, here is the State’s position, as the state itself summarises it:
STATEMENT BY [Prime] MINISTER
ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT – MAURITIUS – STANCE
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have just listened to the answer of the Ag. Minister for Foreign Affairs [pasted below] who answered a question on the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, well, I think it is important that I make a statement on the stance of Mauritius on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Mr Speaker, Sir, I am moved and shocked by the gravity of this issue which despite being on the international agenda for decades, has not so far fully addressed the plight of the Palestinian people.
Mauritius, as a peaceful and pluricultural society, is committed to upholding the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. My Government has consistently demonstrated our unwavering support for Palestine, advocating for a just and enduring resolution of this longstanding conflict.
As a firm believer in the rule of law and respect for international law, Mauritius condemned the attack on Israel by Hamas on 07 October 2023 and equally condemned the disproportionate and indiscriminate attack by Israel on innocent Palestinians during which women, children, infants as well as international officials continue to be brutally killed.
Since 07 October 2023, following the launch of the attack by Hamas on Israel, we have witnessed immense suffering and loss of lives of innocent civilians on both the Palestinian and Israel sides.
According to the latest reports from the United Nation agencies, as at 30 November 2023, since the start of hostilities, more than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including about 6,150 children and 4,000 women. Around 80 per cent of the population in Gaza, that is up to 1.8 million people, are estimated to be internally displaced.
Mr Speaker, Sir, the question of Palestine was first brought to the United Nations General Assembly in 1947. In 1974 the question of Palestine was re-introduced on the agenda of the General Assembly which adopted a resolution reaffirming the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty and the right of the Palestinians to return to their homes.
The question of Palestine has subsequently been the subject of numerous resolutions and decisions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, be it at regular, special or emergency sessions.
At the United Nations and in other international fora such as the African union, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77, Mauritius has consistently supported the right of the Palestinians to have their own States. That will remain the position of Mauritius.
That is why Mauritius has called for an urgent resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the establishment of an independent, viable and prosperous Palestinian State within secure and recognised borders living in peace alongside the State of Israel, under the Two-State Solution framework.
Mauritius has also called for an end to the Israeli occupation that first began in June 1967 with Israel’s policies of land confiscation, illegal settlement and dispossession.
In line with our affirmed and declared position, Mauritius has been voting in favour of United Nations resolutions on the question of Palestine. On 26 October 2023, following the failure of the United Nations Security Council to stop the indiscriminate killings of Palestinians, an Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly was convened under the “uniting for peace” initiative on the “Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. Mauritius participated in the debates and called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all States to come to the negotiating table and revive peace talks in good faith. Mauritius voted in favour of the resolution which called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities and demanding the immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians in Gaza.
The resolution also expresses deep concern at the escalation of violence since 07 October 2023 and severe deterioration of the situation in the region in particular in the Gaza strip. It condemns all acts of violence aimed at the Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks as well as acts of provocation, incitement and destruction. It emphasises that civilians must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and deplores in this regard the heavy civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
In my annual statements at the United Nations General Assembly, I have consistently expressed the unwavering support of Mauritius for the Palestinian cause. In the statement which I delivered this September, I emphatically declared, and I quote – “We reaffirm our solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterate our unwavering support for the two-state solution as we recognise its potential to bring lasting peace and stability to the region.”
Mr Speaker, Sir, on 30 December 2022, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution, requesting the International Court of Justice to give an Advisory Opinion on the ongoing violation by Israel of the rights of the Palestinian people, and Mauritius voted in favour of that resolution.
I wish to emphasise that my Government has taken a very proactive stand and Mauritius is among the 57 States which made a written submission to the International Court of Justice.
Mauritius looks forward to a clear and unequivocal Advisory Opinion which can lead to the acceleration of the process to find a long-term and sustainable solution for the Palestinian people.
Mr Speaker, Sir, Mauritius commends all parties involved in the negotiations leading to the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in Gaza which prevailed from 24 to 30 November 2023.
Indeed, the temporary ceasefire allowed the release of about 100 Israeli women and children and foreigners held hostage, in exchange for about 240 Palestinians freed from Israeli jails. This humanitarian pause also enabled the conveyance of lifesaving aid to civilians trapped inside Gaza.
Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to further inform the House that, in the context of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November 2023, I addressed a message to His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, reaffirming that Mauritius supports all initiatives for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and calls on the international community to collectively address the crisis expeditiously and resolutely safeguard the just cause of the Palestinian people.
I also reaffirmed, with great resolve, our unflinching support for and solidarity with the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian People and their inalienable right to self- determination on the basis of the Two-State Solution, in accordance with all relevant UN Resolutions.
Mr Speaker, Sir, like other countries, Mauritius was hopeful that the recent humanitarian pause would have led to a lasting ceasefire. Unfortunately, hostilities in Gaza resumed on Friday 01 December 2023 with intensified Israelis attacks across the north and south of Gaza, including in the southern city of Khan Younis, with the loss of more Palestinian lives.
We urge the United Nations Security Council to assume its responsibilities to maintain international peace and security and to do what is needed to ensure that peace is restored in the Middle East and the senseless killing of innocent people stops.
We firmly believe that this conflict can only end through peaceful negotiations and a permanent ceasefire, in accordance with international law, with the United Nations playing a pivotal role.
As such, Mauritius continues to monitor the situation and will maintain its commitment to support all initiatives that will bring both parties around the negotiating table with a view to ending this conflict and promote the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Mr Speaker, Sir, it is worth noting that Members from both sides of the House have expressed their concern about the situation in Gaza. I have now unveiled in detail the position adopted by my Government all along.
The House may rest assured that my Government will continue to support the Palestinian cause and renew its calls for a permanent ceasefire in the region, thus putting an end to all kinds of atrocities.
Mr Speaker, Sir, at this stage, there is no need for any further debate at the level of
the National Assembly.
Thank you
Parliamentary Question earlier the same day:
ISRAEL & HAMAS - ONGOING CONFLICT - CEASEFIRE
(No. B/1678) Dr. A. Boolell (First Member for Belle Rose & Quatre Bornes) asked the Attorney-General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade whether, in regard to the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, he will state if Government proposes to call for an immediate total and unconditional ceasefire.
The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail (Mr A. Ganoo): Mr Speaker,
Sir, following the launch of the attack by Hamas on Israel on 17 October 2023, I would like to inform that on 24 October 2023, my colleague, the hon. Maneesh Gobin made a statement to the House informing that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade has promptly that is, on 08 October 2023 issued a communiqué expressing our deep concerns about the situation and calling upon all parties concerned to refrain from taking actions that will spiral into more violence. Mauritius reaffirms its long standing support to the two states solutions with Israel and Palestine, existing side by side for an enduring peace. Mr Speaker, Sir, subsequently, following the attack on the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza causing the loss of numerous lives on 17 October 2023, on the next day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade issued another communiqué, expressing our concern on the deteriorating situation and reiterating our solidarity with the families of all victims of this conflict. Mauritius also called on all parties to implement an immediate ceasefire and encourage an ongoing regional and international initiative for a peaceful resolution of this conflict.
My colleague, the hon. Maneesh Gobin, further informed the House on 24 October 2023 that Mauritius commended Egypt for its initiative to host a conference on the Middle East on the 21 October 2023 and while reiterating our support for all ongoing efforts aimed at diffusing the crisis. In another statement on 31 October 2023, he informed that Mauritius had voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/PS10/L.25, tabled by Jordan which was overwhelmingly adopted by 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstaining, expressing strong support for all regional and international efforts aimed at achieving an immediate cessation of hostilities, ensuring the protection of civilians and providing humanitarian aid. The resolution also called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities. I have to mention that the adoption of UNGA Resolution by a wide majority of States did sensitise the international community on the issue, thus paving the way for a collective effort towards obtaining a ceasefire. As matters stand, Mauritius was hoping that the announcement of a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, beginning on 24 November 2023 and the release of hostages by both parties would pave the way for a permanent ceasefire. Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, Sir, this ceasefire does not last and Israel has resumed its attack in Gaza causing a continued humanitarian catastrophic. We support all initiatives for a cessation of all hostilities, a sine qua non condition for the resumption of peace talks.
Mr Speaker, Sir, moreover during the first Saudi Africa Summit held in Riyadh on 10 November of this year, chaired by his Royal Highness, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crowned Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Mauritius delegation led by Dr. the hon. Anwar Husnoo, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, inter alia, reiterated the commitment of Mauritius to the primacy of international law and the adherence to humanitarian and peace instruments in view of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. My colleague, Dr. the hon. Anwar Husnoo, also highlighted the consistent support of Mauritius for the legitimate aspiration of the Palestinian people to statehood in accordance with the two-state solution and calling upon the international community to support an immediate ceasefire as well as an early resolution of the conflict.
Mr Speaker, Sir, the House would also be aware that the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people is observed by the United Nations on the 29th of November each year. In that context, in a message addressed to His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian National Authority, the hon. Prime Minister reaffirmed the unflinching support and solidarity of Mauritius with a legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights for sub-determination on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with all relevant United Nations Resolutions.
The hon. Prime Minister also reiterated the support of Mauritius on all initiatives for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Mauritius also expresses its support to international calls for an early resumption of negotiations between Palestinians and Israeli without any pre-conditions. Thank you.
Mr Osman Mahomed: Thank you. Can I ask the hon. Minister since he mentioned about humanitarian aid, whether consideration can be given for the Republic of Mauritius to make a donation to the Palestinian people, just like it has been made to Madagascar, Haiti, Mozambique and Tonga for which we are being asked to vote next week in the Estimates of Supplementary Expenditure?
Mr Ganoo: Perhaps, Mr Speaker, Sir, I should raise, in answer to the question, firstly, that Mauritius contributes to the United Nations Relief Fund. Secondly, we have not prohibited any initiative in the country at grassroots level for the mobilisation of resources to be shipped or sent to the victims of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Mr Speaker: Next question!
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