[News] Gaza organizations call for global response to killings

[Anti-Imperialist News]

CALL FROM GAZA FOR GLOBAL RESPONSE TO KILLINGS ON THE FREEDOM FLOTILLA

By 
<http://palestinethinktank.com/author/guest-post/>Guest 
Post • May 31st, 2010 at 12:20 •
http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/05/31/call-from-gaza-for-global-response-to-killings-on-the-freedom-flotilla/


ALSO: Leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel 
was seriously wounded in Freedom Flotilla Massacre

Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the Islamic 
movement in Israel, was seriously hurt in the 
Israeli occupation forces' assault on the Freedom 
Flotilla at dawn Monday, Israeli media reported. 
The Israeli public radio said that the 
confrontation in the sea killed 19 solidarity 
activists, most of them from Turkey and wounded about 60 others.

Sheikh Kamal Al-Khatib, the deputy leader of the 
Islamic movement, charged Israel with attempting 
to assassinate Sheikh Salah, making use of the 
attack on the flotilla as an excuse. The Israeli 
army used live bullets and teargas bombs in the 
attack on the ships carrying hundreds of 
solidarity activists and thousands of tons of 
medical aid and other relief material to the besieged people of Gaza Strip.

PRESS RELEASE
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 this 
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 on the 
Flotilla and join the, 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 +972-0599441766

Dr Mona El Farra: Middle East Children's Alliance, Gaza 00.972(0)598.868.222

Adie Mormech: International Solidarity Movement 00.972(0)597.717.696

Max Ajl: Gaza Freedom March 00.972(0)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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