The Scottish-Islamic Foundation has added its name to a letter to be sent to the First Minister, Alex Salmond, and Foreign Secretary David Milliband in regards to the worsening situation in the Gaza strip.

The letter has also been signed by representatives from different faith and non-faith communities and a number of MPs and MSPs from different political parties.

The letter calls on both the Scottish and UK Government to use their influence to urge the Israeli Government to halt their air assault. In addition, the letter urges world leaders to be stronger in their condemnation of what is viewed as ‘collective punishment’ of the Gazan people which has resulted in over 300 dead – including women and children.

Commenting Humza Yousaf, Director Public Affairs at the Scottish-Islamic Foundation said:

"Today’s letter shows that the crisis in Gaza is not a religious one or even a political one but a humanitarian one. We see people from all faiths, non-faiths and political parties expressing their disgust and extreme concern at what they are witnessing in Gaza.

"Like other reasonable people we believe that Israel has a right to defend her citizen’s but the disproportionate and indiscriminate nature of their assault has left over 300 people dead many women and children included.

"There can be no justification in bombing universities and Mosques and rather than wiping out extremism the Israeli Government is likely to increase resentment towards it.

"We hope the Scottish Government and UK Government will use their influence to urge the Israelis to immediately stop their attack on the people of Gaza. In addition, there must be a cessation to rocket fire over the border from Gaza. A ceasefire and end to violence is the only way we will see a lasting peace in the Middle East."

END

Note to editor:

1. Full text of letter:

Dear The Rt Hon David Milliband,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our disgust, condemnation and concern at the current attacks being carried out by Israel on the Gaza strip killing over 300 people – including women and children. There is little doubt that the number of civilian deaths will rise in the next few days and weeks as Israel shows no signs of stopping its offensive on the people of Gaza.

The situation is bleak with hospitals running out of medical supplies as the Israeli blockade continues to suffocate the people of Gaza. The region’s power and infrastructure networks are on the verge of collapse with over 85% of Gazans depending on UN food aid – which is at critically low levels.

We, the undersigned, call on you to do all you can in your power to pressure the Israeli Government to halt attacks on the Gazan people who are being collectively punished for the actions of a minority. While we believe that Israel has the right to defend itself and its civilians from rocket attacks it cannot be allowed to collectively punish, maim and kill innocent Palestinian civilians in the process.

In the past 48-hours we have heard from the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, that the attacks will not be short and will become increasingly intense. We believe that a strong statement of condemnation, of Israel’s actions, must be forthcoming from world leaders and political institutions before the attacks escalate and further air attacks are intensified and ground troops sent to the region.

We urge you to do all you can to halt the killing of innocent lives and send a strong message of condemnation to the Israeli’s for their current attacks.

Signed:

Pauline McNeill MSP
Convenor, Cross Party Group on Palestine

Mohammad Sarwar MP

Jamie Hepburn MSP
Cross-party Group on Human Rights and Civil Liberties

Osama Saeed
Chief Executive
Scottish-Islamic Foundation

Sandra White MSP

Grahame Smith
Scottish Trades Union Congress

Bashir Ahmad MSP

Jim Devine MP

Michael Connarty MP

Katy Clark MP

Jim Sheridan MP

Russell Brown MP

Bill Kidd MSP

Angus Robertson MP
Westminster SNP Leader

Mike Weir MP

Christina McKelvie MSP

Joe Fitzpatrick MSP

Jim McGovern MP

Alyn Smith MEP

Angela Constance MSP

Christine Grahame MSP

Angus MacNeil MP

Bob Doris MSP

Anne Moffat MP

Rt. Hon Tom Clarke CBE MP

Anas Sarwar
Labour PPC

Trevor Cope & John McHugo
Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine

Baroness Jenny Tonge

Councillor Jonathan Bloch
Lib Dem Councillor London Borough of Haringey

Rev Ian Galloway
Convener Church and Society Council, Church of Scotland

Rev Donald Reid
Committee for Relations with People of Other Faiths, Scottish Episcopal Church

Barry Levine
Jews for a Just Peace

Sgt Amar Shakoor
Scotland Strathclyde Police Muslim Association

Glasgow Central Mosque

Lebanese Community in Scotland

Nicola Fisher
Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

Aamer Anwar
Scottish Human Rights Lawyer

Mick Napier
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign Campaign

Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign

Scottish Friends of Palestine

Dave Watson
UNISON

Association of Indian Organisations

Scottish Afghan Society

Ammad Mahmood
Federation of Student Islamic Societies

Salah Beltagui
Muslim Council of Scotland

Sajid Hussain
Scotlands Chronicle

2. The letter has also been sent to the First Minister and Israeli Ambassador

3. The Scottish-Islamic Foundation wrote, sent and organised signatories for the letter.

4. To add your name to the letter, please email us