Greens warn against Paris attacks dictating policy on refugees

As Paris mourns its dead and cares for its wounded after the hideous weekend attack, the Green Party says it is important to ensure that we do not act in ways that fuel ISIS and terrorism.

Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett said:

There is a real risk that amongst the outcomes of the heinous attacks in Paris will be increased fear and division, the stirring up of Islamophobia and an impulse to retreat from the compassion and support with which Europe has so far met those fleeing ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

ISIS does not want to see that compassion, inclusion and displays of fraternity.

While sensible screening measures and checks need to be maintained; to cut off escape routes for desperate people fleeing war and persecution would only play into ISIS's hands.

We cannot let the actions of a handful of extremists dictate our response to the ongoing refugee crisis. The Green Party will resist calls to reduce Britain and Europe's access to refugees and are redoubling our calls for Britain to welcome its fair share of the refugees reaching Europe.

We also want to acknowledge and highlight the way in which so many communities around the world live with regular similar atrocities, including attacks in Beirut, Ankara, Baghdad and Kabul. And we need to note that the actions of Turkey in attacking Kurdish communities fighting ISIS within Syria have been disastrous, damaging, and deserve the strongest condemnation.

Green Party foreign affairs spokesperson, Tony Clarke said:

The killing has to stop and world leaders must find a way forward that defeats ISIS using the weapon that these terrorists fear most of all, peace talks.

There were signs over the weekend that those talks may now have some new foundation and I would encourage presidents and prime ministers to recognise that the drones cannot provide a solution and pick up the phones and find a way of halting this never ending circle of death.

Greens: Don't sacrifice liberty in knee-jerk reaction to terror attacks

Green Party deputy leader Shahrar Ali has expressed his shock at hearing of the “inhumane” terror attacks that took place on Friday 26 June, but warned the government against fast-tracking its data communications bill in response.

Both Dr Ali and the Green Party’s foreign affairs spokesperson Tony Clarke called for nonviolent solutions to terrorism.

Dr Ali said:

How shocking to hear the news of terror attacks in a mosque in Kuwait City, a factory in Lyon and a beach in Sousse, Tunisia. People going about their everyday business suddenly had their worlds brought to an abrupt, inhumane end.

In the aftermath of the massacre, it is natural for our politicians to want to seek immediate solutions, but action requires thought, not haste. Just as the racist Charleston shooter, days earlier, was not representative of a whole community nor are the sick ideologues acting out their evil designs representative of any religion.

We must not sacrifice our liberties with a knee-jerk response to terror attacks.

The government's Prevent strategy is counterproductive on its own terms as it would impede open debate in our schools and universities when it is most needed.

Talk of fast-tracking the government's data communications bill, which would give agencies intrusive powers to intercept data, is not a legitimate response when current anti-terror legislation is already so open to abuse.

In seeking out nonviolent solutions we must take a sober look at our contribution to conflict, strife and resentment around the world. An attempt to understand the causes of the spread of terror, far from justifying unconscionable actions, gives us our best prospect to curtail them in the future.

Mr Clarke said:

All of us are affected as individuals each and every time terror strikes out at the innocent. We feel less secure, we feel angry at the use of extreme violence being perpetrated against people simply going about their everyday lives.

But to defeat the terrorists we have to win the peace, we have to redouble our diplomatic peacekeeping efforts and be prepared to advance our shared understanding of the open wounds in the world often created by governments themselves.

Only by reducing violence and assisting communities to live in peace will we ever be successful in breaking down the real recruitment drivers of terrorism.

The lessons are there for all to see in our recent past in Northern Ireland and in South Africa. We must now apply the same level of proactive peace and reconciliation processes in Afghanistan, in Iraq and in Palestine if we want to prevent future terrorist attacks and to protect the innocent.

Greens call for an immediate end to the Israeli attack on Gaza as thousands prepare to demonstrate tomorrow

On the eve of the National Demo for Gaza (above) the Green Party has today called for an immediate end of the Israeli attack on Gaza, and for the British government to apply all possible pressure to achieve that end.

Natalie Bennett, Green Party leader, said:

With the death toll in Gaza soaring past 250, with many of them civilians, including many children, we need strong international pressure to stop this violence.

Israel’s actions extend very far beyond any reasonable response to the Hamas rocket attacks.

Killing hundreds of innocent civilians will worsen Israel’s security, not strengthen it.

An immediate ceasefire is essential, and it must be responsibility of all states and political actors in the region to stop this cycle of outbreaks of conflict.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has previously written to the Foreign Secretary to urge him to step up action to secure an end to the latest escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, and to oppose any attempt by the Israel military to launch a ground attack in Gaza. Lucas has also called on the Government to do more to work towards securing a lasting and just peace in the region, based on a two state solution, and to urgently address ongoing human rights violations:

News of the latest ground offensive is horrific. The International community is compelled to condemn this offensive with a collective voice, to demand an immediate cease fire and to hold Israel accountable for the assault. Violence begets violence – and this cycle of violence must end now.

Green Party International Spokesperson, Tony Clarke commented:

World governments need to ask themselves some serious questions about their continued inaction and also of the failure of Israel to uphold UN resolutions, every incursion, every new settlement by the State of Israel simply acts as recruitment drive for those in Palestine who can only see resistance through violence. Each rocket launch from Gaza brings a heavier response from Israel, and the cycle of violence continues unchecked. We must bring about a ceasefire and must get talks on a two state solution back on the table.

Natalie Bennett added:

There are many heartrending tales of tragedy and loss from Gaza. But the damage to al-Wafa rehabilitation hospital is particularly disturbing. Israel needs to be held fully responsible for its use of missiles and artillery in densely populated civilian areas.

We need to not only see an immediate end to the current violence, but a renewed commitment to negotiating towards a peaceful, lasting two-state solution.