1 June 2010 **** Front Page 1 June 2010 **** Front Page
GAZA, PALESTINE
31. MAY. 2010
We Gaza based Palestinian Civil Society Organizations and International
activists call on the international community and civil society to pressure
their governments and Israel to cease the abductions and killings in
Israel's attacks against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla sailing for Gaza, and
begin a global response to hold Israel accountable for the murder of foreign
civilians at sea and illegal piracy of civilian vessels carrying
humanitarian aid for Gaza.
We salute the courage of all those who have organized this aid intervention
and demand a safe passage through to Gaza for the 750 people of conscience
from 40 different countries including 35 international politicians intent on
breaking the Israeli-Egyptian blockade. We offer our sincerest condolences
to family and friends who have lost loved ones in the attack.
By sailing directly to Gaza, outside of Israeli waters, with cargo banned
illegally by Israel, such as the 10,000 tonnes of badly needed concrete,
toys, workbooks, chocolate, pasta and substantial medical supplies, the
flotilla is exercising international law and upholding article 33 of the
Geneva Convention which clearly states that collective punishment is a
crime against humanity.
The hardships of Israel's closure of Gaza have been well documented by all
human rights groups operating, most recently by Amnesty International in
their Annual Human Rights Report concluding that the siege has "deepened the
ongoing humanitarian crisis. Mass unemployment, extreme poverty, food
insecurity and food price rises caused by shortages left four out of five
Gazans dependent on humanitarian aid. The scope of the blockade and
statements made by Israeli officials about its purpose showed that it was
being imposed as a form of collective punishment of Gazans, a flagrant
violation of international law." The United Nations continuously states
that only a fraction of the required aid is entering the Strip due to what
it calls ‘the medieval siege', with John Ging the Director of UNRWA in Gaza
specifically expressing the need for the Flotilla to enter Gaza. The
European Union's new foreign affairs minister Catherine Ashton has just
reiterated its call for, “an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening
of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons
to and from Gaza.”
The people of Gaza are not dependent people, but self sufficient people
doing what they can to retain some dignity in life in the wake of
colossal man-made devastation that deprives so many of a basic start in life
or minimal aspirations for the future.
We, from Gaza, call on you to demonstrate and support the courageous men and
women who went on the Flotilla, many now murdered on a humanitarian aid
mission. We insist on severance of diplomatic ties with Israel, trials for
war crimes and the International protection of the civilians of Gaza. We
call on you to join the growing international boycott, divestment and
sanction campaign of a country proving again to be so violent and yet so
unchallenged. Join the growing critical mass around the world with a
commitment to the day when Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as
any other people, when the siege is lifted, the occupation is over and the 6
million Palestinian refugees are finally granted justice.
Press Contacts:
Dr Haidar Eid: One Democratic Sate Group and University Teachers' Association
Dr Mona El Farra: Middle East Children's Alliance, Gaza 00.972.598.868.222
Adie Mormech (UK): International Solidarity Movement 00.972.597.717.696
Max Ajl (US): Gaza Freedom March 00.972.597.750.798
Signatory Organisations:
The One Democratic State Group
University Teachers Association
Arab Cultural Forum
Palestinian Students' Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel
Association of Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Info
Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements
International Solidarity Movement
Palestinian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations
Palestinian Women Committees
Progressive Students Union
Medical Relief Society
The General Society for Rehabilitation
Gaza Community Mental Health Program
General Union of Palestinian Women
Afaq Jadeeda Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Deir Al-Balah Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Maghazi Cultural Centre for Children
Al-Sahel Centre for Women and Youth
Ghassan Kanfani Kindergartens
Rachel Corrie Centre, Rafah
Rafah Olympia City Sisters
Al Awda Centre, Rafah
Al Awda Hospital, Jabaliya Camp
Ajyal Association, Gaza
General Union of Palestinian Syndicates
Al Karmel Centre, Nuseirat
Local Inititiative, Beit Hanoun
Union of Health Work Committees
Red Crescent Society Gaza Strip
Beit Lahiya Cultural Centre
Al Awda Centre, Rafah
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