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<h2><b>CALL FROM GAZA FOR GLOBAL RESPONSE TO KILLINGS ON THE FREEDOM
FLOTILLA</b></h2><font size=2>By
<a href="http://palestinethinktank.com/author/guest-post/">Guest Post</a>
• May 31st, 2010 at 12:20 • <br>
<a href="http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/05/31/call-from-gaza-for-global-response-to-killings-on-the-freedom-flotilla/" eudora="autourl">
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<br>
</a></font><font size=3>ALSO: Leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel
was seriously wounded in Freedom Flotilla Massacre<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
PRESS RELEASE<br>
GAZA, PALESTINE, 31.MAY.2010<br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.”<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
<b>Press Contacts:<br><br>
</b>Dr Haidar Eid: One Democratic Sate Group and University Teachers'
Association +972-0599441766<br><br>
Dr Mona El Farra: Middle East Children's Alliance, Gaza
00.972(0)598.868.222<br><br>
Adie Mormech: International Solidarity Movement
00.972(0)597.717.696<br><br>
Max Ajl: Gaza Freedom March 00.972(0)597.750.798 <br><br>
<b>Signatory Organisations:<br><br>
</b>The One Democratic State Group<br><br>
University Teachers Association<br><br>
Arab Cultural Forum<br><br>
Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of
Israel<br><br>
Association of Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Info<br><br>
Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements<br><br>
International Solidarity Movement<br><br>
Palestinian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations<br><br>
Palestinian Women Committees<br><br>
Progressive Students Union<br><br>
Medical Relief Society<br><br>
The General Society for Rehabilitation<br><br>
Gaza Community Mental Health Program<br><br>
General Union of Palestinian Women<br><br>
Afaq Jadeeda Cultural Centre for Women and Children<br><br>
Deir Al-Balah Cultural Centre for Women and Children<br><br>
Maghazi Cultural Centre for Children<br><br>
Al-Sahel Centre for Women and Youth<br><br>
Ghassan Kanfani Kindergartens<br><br>
Rachel Corrie Centre, Rafah<br><br>
Rafah Olympia City Sisters<br><br>
Al Awda Centre, Rafah<br><br>
Al Awda Hospital, Jabaliya Camp<br><br>
Ajyal Association, Gaza<br><br>
General Union of Palestinian Syndicates<br><br>
Al Karmel Centre, Nuseirat<br><br>
Local Inititiative, Beit Hanoun<br><br>
Union of Health Work Committees<br><br>
Red Crescent Society Gaza Strip<br><br>
Beit Lahiya Cultural Centre<br><br>
Al Awda Centre, Rafah<br><br>
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