Israel's 'easing' of land blockade is not enough

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Monday June 21, 2010 10:07 by Free Gaza Movement (Ireland) 087 1258325

PRESS RELEASE, 21/6/10

ISRAEL'S 'EASING' OF GAZA LAND BLOCKADE IS INSUFFICIENT

FREE GAZA MOVEMENT (IRELAND)

Responding to Israel's announcement that it intends to 'ease' its land blockade of Gaza, Dr Fintan Lane of the Free Gaza Movement in Ireland said: "This is about the optics. Israel still intends to ban or restrict most goods and the blockade remains in place. Both the port and airport are still unable to operate, and the siege of Gaza continues. It is clear that Israel is engaging in a cynical public relations exercise in the wake of the international outcry over its murderous attack on the 'Freedom Flotilla'. It's a crude attempt to throw dust in people's eyes."

Dr Lane, who was an Irish participant on the 'Freedom Flotilla' and one of those kidnapped in international waters by Israeli commandos, continued: "Israel is strangling Gaza and is entirely responsible for the humanitarian crisis in the area. As many as 80 per cent of Gazans currently live below the poverty line and the local economy is in tatters. What is required is an immediate and complete end to the illegal siege of Gaza. This must be a short-term objective for the international community and people should not allow themselves to be fooled by Israel's alleged 'easing' of one aspect of the blockade."

Echoing the remarks made this morning by John Ging of the United Nation's Relief and Works Agency in Gaza , Dr Lane said: "Only a complete end to the blockade will help the people of Gaza and allow them to reconstruct their local economy. Trade, exports and commercial activity have been stopped or heavily restricted by Israel, leading to an unemployment rate of over 45 per cent. The people of Gaza need free access. The siege must end now."

NOTES

The Free Gaza Movement (www.freegaza.org) is an international organisation of activists dedicated to breaking the siege of Gaza. Since August 2008, it has organised several boat trips to Gaza to breach the sea blockade, and was a key organiser of the recent 'Freedom Flotilla'. It is currently involved with its partners in organising a new flotilla that will sail for Gaza later this summer.

Dr Fintan Lane is a member of the Free Gaza Movement and the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign. He was a participant in the 'Freedom Flotilla' and aboard Challenger 1 when the flotilla was attacked by Israeli commandos on Monday, 31 May. He was subsequently brought to a prison in southern Israel before being 'deported' to Turkey.

PRESS RELEASE ENDS

For further information, contact the Free Gaza Movement (Ireland):

Fintan Lane (Dublin/Cork): 087 1258325

Niamh Moloughney (Galway): xxxxx