Iceland’s Foreign Minister Condemns Gaza Attacks

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson issued a statement yesterday calling for “the full force” of the UN Security Council to be used to stop the violence in Gaza.

In a statement posted on the ministry’s webpage, Gunnar Bragi expressed grave concerns over the current attacks on Gaza.

“I condemn all use of violence in the area,” the minister said. “This is an express demand to the Israeli government to stop its attacks on Gaza, which have led to great tragedy for civilians there. In the same spirit, all attacks on Israel need to cease forthwith.”

While saying that both sides bear responsibility for ending the violence, he also turned his attention to the United Nations.

“A peaceful solution for Israel and Palestine must be found, and that is the two-state solution,” he said. “It raises concerns that the United Nations Security Council is powerless to deal with this war. I consider it extremely important that the Security Council use the full force of its power to deal with the matter.”

Yesterday, some 1,700 Icelanders gathered in Lækjartorg to protest against the Israeli government’s attacks on Gaza. The attacks have so far left nearly 200 Palestinians dead and thousands injured. Israel reports one fatality, and few injuries, at the time of this writing.