Open the border with the Gaza Strip
Following the takeover of the Gaza Strip by Hamas in June 2007, Israel imposed a blockade on all border crossings in and out of the Gaza Strip. The blockade “locked in” 1.5 million people in what is one of the most densely populated areas on earth. The consequence has been a degradation in the living conditions of the population, caused by high unemployment and a gradual decline in the condition of infrastructure and vital services such as healthcare, water, sanitation and education. The denial of Palestinians’ right to leave Gaza is a key component of the humanitarian crisis.
This restriction had a devastating impact during Israel’s 22-day “Cast Lead” military offensive, launched on Dec. 27, 2008. The significant loss of civilian life and the large number of seriously injured and traumatized people was a direct result of their inability to leave. The Israeli offensive also caused widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure and productive assets that have not been able to be rebuilt due to the shortage of imported materials. During recent months, Israel has allowed entry into Gaza of a small number of truckloads carrying goods previously prevented from entering, including lsome construction, water, sanitation and education supplies. While these are welcome steps, their actual impact when compared to the current level of needs in Gaza remains negligible. The blockade has been characterized by the UN’s most senior humanitarian official, John Holmes, as collective punishment of the entire Gazan population:
The American International School, above, was destroyed during Cast Lead by American military machinery.
Several Peace Action Montgomery members have been or are currently preparing to be a part of delegations to Gaza to demand that Israel end its illegal and inhumane siege of Gaza, which is carried out with American military aid. To learn more about the upcoming Gaza Freedom March, please visit www.gazafreedommarch.org Consider joining us on the December delegation, or attend a solidarity action in DC metro area.
Download our Power Point on the Gaza Freedom March here.
A Peace Action Montgomery fundraiser helped pay for this playground in Gaza:
