He feared that the bombings in Israel and Lebanon might escalate even in the territories of Syria, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.

“I hope the conflict should be prevented from escalating into a full-blown war in the Middle East,” said Hataman.

Hataman believes that the on-going conflict is becoming an affront to Muslim people and its beliefs.
“In Islam, this attack must be addressed immediately.  A very bold position should be displayed right away.  It seems that Israel wants a confrontation between our cultures and beliefs,” he said.  
He believes that an active participation of Muslims in the whole world would help pressure Israel to stop its attacks in Lebanon and help support the stand of United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan for the immediate declaration of a ceasefire.

“A loud and clear message must be sent immediately, a ceasefire is in order to save the lives of innocent people and the devastation of important infrastructures,” he said.

He lamented that even the jobs of overseas Filipino workers (OWF’s) were displaced as they were sent back home following the escalation of the conflict.

It will be recalled that the bombings started following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah almost a month ago prompting the Israeli government to launch on July 12 a military offensive to recover the two soldiers and hunt the Hezbollah fighters.

Part of Israeli’s retaliation was the bombing of Lebanon which includes Beirut that killed 363 people as of July 24, 320 of whom were innocent civilians representing women and children.

PRESS RELEASE
July 27, 2006
ANAK MINDANAO (AMIN) PARTY-LIST