CPM condemns Israel's blockade of Gaza Strip

New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) The CPM today strongly condemned Israel's latest step of cutting off fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip, saying the blockade violated all international and humanitarian norms, and appealed to the UN to initiate steps for its lifting.

''Israel is treating the 1.5 million in Gaza worse than a colonial power. The United Nations should immediately intervene and take steps to penalise Israel and see that the blockade is lifted,'' the CPM Polit Bureau said in a statement.

The left party also lambasted the UPA Government for ''keeping a shameful silence on this criminal blockade by Israel. It is instead collaborating with Israel to enahnce its military capability.'' The CPM said the launch of an Israeli satellite TecSar from Shriharikota shows how India is aiding the militry efforts of Israel. The satellite has the capability to track activities in Iran and the region.

It said the UPA government should demand an end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip forthwith and also call for an urgent session of the Security Council to discuss the matter.

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