IPSC Protest EU at ongoing crisis in Gaza

dublin | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Tuesday December 18, 2007 12:59

by Garry - IPSC

Over 20 IPSC activists spent their lunchbreak protesting at the EU offices on Thursday 13th December, protesting against the ongoing siege of Gaza. The EU closed their offices in response. After an hour of maintaining the protest, an EU official met with the IPSC secretary who handed over a letter of protest. 500 leaflets were handed out to members of the general public who passed by the offices.

The EU closed their offices in response to the protest

Why: In a nutshell, the 13th was the day the EU are signing into effect the 'Lisbon Reform Treaty'. The IPSC used this opportunity to highlight the EU's role (via the International Quartet) in imposing an aid embargo on Gaza, as well as the general eclipsing of the Gazan crisis by the frenzy surrounding the Annapolis conference.

Spotlight on Annapolis, Darkness in Gaza

The international media frenzy surrounding the Annapolis conference ("much ado about nothing") has entirely eclipsed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Trade embargoes, travel restrictions, Israeli attacks and food, fuel and medical shortages are plaguing the civilian population - pushing Gaza further to the brink of an all out humanitarian catastrophe. The reasons for this human rights disaster are twofold - Israeli restrictions and international sanctions imposed after the Hamas election victory in 2006.

The role of the EU

Meanwhile, instead of standing up against these crimes and rallying to the aid of the oppressed, the European Union is a party to these shameful actions through its role in the International Quartet which imposed crippling sanctions on Gaza. It makes hollow calls for Israel to "respect commitments", while denying the Gazan population desperately needed aid. The EU has aligned itself with US/Israeli imperialism in the region and bears equal responsibility for the humanitarian crisis facing the population of Gaza.

In addition, through the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Israel enjoys trading preferences with the EU. Article 2 of that Agreement makes these preferences conditional upon respect for human rights - yet despite constant, blatant and horrific abuses of human rights on Israel's behalf no move has been made to suspend this agreement. At the same time the EU endorses brutal sanctions against the people of Gaza!

We are using today, December 13th - the day of the signing of the EU 'Lisbon Reform Treaty' - to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the EU's despicable role in this. We are calling on the EU to address the plight of Gaza NOW!

Food, Fuel, Power & Medical Shortages

According to the World Food Program, the Israeli blockade means that 59% of Gaza's food import needs aren't being met. The majority of fuel outlets have closed due to Israeli fuel and power reductions, seriously affecting the local economy and internal travel. This has also had a major effect on the public sector as Gaza relies almost exclusively on fuel and electricity imports to run essential services such as hospital power generators, ambulance services etc. About 225,000 people don't have proper access to drinking water because pumps are out of action.

In addition, the medical sector is facing further crisis due to severe drug and personnel shortages, lack of medical equipment and external travel restrictions. For example, according to the WHO, supplies of 91 out of 416 essential drugs have run out, as have about a third of essential medical supplies - including most children's antibiotics.

Recently, Israel has banned the importation of paper into Gaza, an official claiming that paper can be used for ‘propaganda purposes’. This has ensured that Gazan schoolchildren do not have the textbooks needed for their education

Closures

The Israeli imposed embargo on external travel in force since June have meant that approximately 6,000 Gazans are waiting for the opportunity to travel abroad for work and education. In addition some 1,500 people require external medical care, including 350 critical cases. A further result of the closures is that 120,000 jobs in all sectors are under threat, and construction projects worth $160m have been halted. The UN has warned that Gaza will become a 100% dependent economy if the borders remain closed for import, export and travel.

The closure acts as a de facto trade embrago. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has said farmers have so far lost $4.5m due to the squeeze on imports and near total ban on exports since June. It is estimated that another $50 million will be lost this season if farmers cannot export. Some 25% of Gazans rely on agriculture for their income.

Collective Punishment

All this amounts to, in the words of Human Rights Watch and others, "collective punishment" against the people of Gaza. The human rights organisation Al-Haq notes that: "This is the first time in history that sanctions have been imposed on the victims of an oppressive regime rather than on the regime itself". In total, more than 1,800 Gazan civilians have been killed by Israeli forces since 2000, and many more have died as result of lack of access to proper facilities.