UN Director of operations: UNRWA cannot feed 200,000 Palestinian children in its schools

IManar Jibrin manarjibrin at gmail dot com - IMEMC & Agencies, 27.11.07. In a message delivered Tuesday to members of the British Parliament in the UK daily the Independent, John Jeng, Director of operations for UNRWA, called on members of the British Parliament to "use their influence to bring an end to the sanctions imposed on the Gaza Strip." Jeng branded the sanctions as "harsh penalties" and criticized the Israeli cabinet for declaring the region a "hostile entity," adding that the reduction of fuel and electricty to the coastal region had had a grave impact on the medical sector, in addition to destroying the economy and disabling sanitation networks in population centres. The Director added that the sanctions were doomed to fail in their stated objective, adding that UNRWA did not have sufficient food supplies to cover the 200,000 Palestinian children who attend UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip.

Translated by Manar Jibrin-IMEMC News

Luisa Morgantini da Gaza a Radio Vaticana: Le sanzioni di Israele contro Gaza preoccupano la comunità internazionale

Radio Vaticana, 20/09/07. Israele proclama l'intera Striscia di Gaza "entità nemica" e annuncia un piano di sanzioni economiche per il milione e mezzo di persone che vi abitano. Tel Aviv parla di reazione al lancio di razzi Qassam da parte di miliziani palestinesi. Le forniture di carburante ed energia verranno ridotte, le frontiere chiuse a persone e merci. Il segretario di Stato americano Condoleezza Rice, giunta oggi in Israele per preparare la conferenza internazionale di pace che gli Stati Uniti hanno convocato per novembre a Washington, ha detto che le sanzioni non agevolano il dialogo e ha precisato che "per il governo degli Stati Uniti l'entità nemica è Hamas". Da parte sua, Hamas fa sapere che il provvedimento di Israele "equivale a una dichiarazione di guerra". Il presidente palestinese Abbas, parla di "punizione arbitraria". Interviene anche il Segretario generale dell'Onu Ban Ki-moon per dirsi "molto preoccupato" per la decisione del governo israeliano. Padre Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custode di Terra Santa, sottolinea che questo tipo di decisioni "non porta soluzioni ma solo nuovi problemi a una popolazione palestinese stremata". Intanto un ragazzo palestinese è stato ucciso nel corso di un'incursione dell'esercito israeliano nei pressi del campo profughi di El Burej, nel centro della striscia di Gaza. E proprio a Gaza in questo momento c'è una delegazione del Parlamento europeo, che ha già fatto tappa a Gerusalemme e in Cisgiordania. Una missione sullo stato attuale dei progetti europei e l'efficacia degli aiuti. Fausta Speranza ha raggiunto a Gaza la vicepresidente del Parlamento europeo, Luisa Morgantini, e le ha chiesto innanzitutto una reazione all'annuncio di Israele:

R. – Noi da sempre sosteniamo che è indispensabile e necessario che vengano applicate le risoluzioni delle Nazioni Unite, che vuol dire la fine dell'occupazione militare israeliana della Cisgiordania e Gaza. Come parlamentari europei ci auguriamo davvero che i palestinesi possano trovare una soluzione al loro interno e trovare un'unità politica e territoriale. Qui diciamo che questa dichiarazione, fatta da Israele, è davvero una minaccia e soprattutto, è assolutamente una formula nuova anche nella legalità internazionale. Le dichiarazioni – per esempio – di voler bloccare l'elettricità e il combustibile rappresentano una punizione collettiva ad un milione e mezzo di persone che già vive strangolata, perché in realtà Gaza è una gabbia in cui nessuno o pochissimi possono entrare ed uscire. Ci sono centinaia di persone malate che devono andare a curarsi in Egitto e non possono uscire; ci sono 600 studenti che hanno avuto scholarship internazionali e perdono scholarship e borse di studio ... Io credo che la comunità internazionale dovrebbe veramente intervenire! Certo, bisogna assolutamente bloccare i lanci di razzi che cadono su Sderot, ma sinceramente Israele sta continuando non soltanto a Gaza ma anche nella Westbank, a fare incursioni militari... A Gaza sono prigionieri, ma anche nella Westbank, dove ci sono più di 600 check-point con soldati e i palestinesi sono chiusi dentro le loro città. O dal muro o dai check-point.

D. – Onorevole Morgantini, quanto è lontana nella percezione della gente, lì, la prospettiva della Conferenza che gli Stati Uniti stanno preparando per il Medio Oriente a novembre?

R. – E' molto lontana! Nessuno crede, in realtà, a questa ipotesi. Se non vedono dei cambiamenti adesso, se non vedono sinceramente cambiare le loro condizioni di vita, vedono la conferenza di novembre come un'altra illusione e infatti ci sono centinaia di giovani israeliani, e non soltanto giovani, che insieme ai palestinesi – per esempio – manifestano da più di tre anni pacificamente, in modo non violento, a Bil'in, dove vi è un muro che toglie al villaggio di Bil'in il 65 per cento della terra ...

D. – Che cosa ci dice degli altri posti visitati dalla vostra delegazione in questi giorni?

R. – In questo momento sono a Gaza e devo dire qualcosa dell'ospedale Shiffat: è desolante vedere questa città che sembra una città deserta. Ieri siamo stati a Hebron e abbiamo visto il risultato di avere all'interno di quella città un insediamento di ortodossi israeliani che praticamente occupano il centro della città: hanno reso il centro di Hebron – un centro storico straordinario – praticamente deserto. Più di mille negozi palestinesi hanno dovuto chiudere per la presenza dei coloni, hanno dovuto abbandonare il centro. Abbiamo visto poi a Ramallah e a Betlemme le tragiche conseguenze del muro che viene costruito da Israele e che, anche se può aver sicuramente bloccato qualche attentato, è un muro in realtà di pura annessione coloniale. E' un muro che divide palestinesi da palestinesi: abbiamo visto il muro attraversare cortili di case ...

GAZA: A CALL FOR URGENT ACTION

ICHAD, 20/09/07. Israel’s decision to punish Gaza’s civilian population, with all the human suffering that entails, constitutes an instance of State Terrorism against innocent people. Only when Israel is held accountable for its actions and international law upheld will a just peace be possible in the Middle East.

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) deplores the unanimous decision by the Israeli cabinet to impose sanctions on supplies of electricity, fuel and other basic goods and services to the civilian population of Gaza, and calls upon the international community to prevent this crime against humanity from being carried out. Indeed, the very legal framework invoked by Israel to carry out this illegal and immoral act – declaring Gaza a “hostile entity” within a “conflict short of war” – has absolutely no standing in international law. The collective punishment of an entire civilian population, by contrast, is explicitly prohibited.

We call on the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, to urgently convene the Security Council in order to tell the Israeli government that this step is completely unacceptable and must be rescinded.

We call on the governments of the world, and in particular the American government and the European Parliament, to censure this decision, especially in light of recent attempts to revive the diplomatic process.

We call on the world’s religious leaders to condemn this blatant violation of human rights and the most fundamental assault on human life and dignity, made especially poignant as it is being implemented during the holy month of Ramadan. As Israelis, most of whom are Jews, we call upon Jewish leaders to speak out unequivocally against this offense against Jewish values on the eve of Yom Kippur.

And we call upon the peoples of the world to let their officials and leaders know of their repudiation of this cruel, illegal and immoral act – an act that stands out in its cruelty even in an already oppressive Israeli Occupation. ICAHD condemns attacks on all civilians, be they Israeli or Palestinian. Violations of international law by governments affecting millions of people are, however, especially egregious and must be denounced.

Here's to you, Condoleezza Rice

Laila and her son Yousuf

Laila El-Haddad, a-mother-from-gaza.blogspot, 19/09/07.

Firstly, a blessed and joyous Ramadan to everyone. I only wish it was so joyous an occasion for my friends and family in Gaza.

Today Israel officially announced Hamas a "hostile entity" (although that sort of had me confused-is this to say they were of "friendly entity" status before??). And made the decision to cut fuel and electricity, once again.

But fear not, country folk. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice confirmed reassuringly that the U.S. "would not abandon the innocent Palestinians". Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also said that Israel will continue to supply Gaza's humanitarian needs, just not "all the needs that are more than the humanitarian".

... except for fuel. Oh, and electricity. So don't worry, people of Gaza, you won't starve (remember: you are on a diet). You will get to eat your (cold) Ramadan iftars,-only in the dark, and of course no water to wash down that meal (or your clothes, for that matter) since the pumps are driven by electricity. And no gas to heat your food or houses with come winter. And you'll have to consume what you get quickly, since the refrigerators (both yours and the supermarket's) won't work without power. And don't even THINK about getting sick-prevention is your best insurance policy now. Hospital ICUs will have to be powered by generators. Kidney dialysis? Start writing a will. Baby formula? Breastfeed. Vaccinations? Stay home from school.

"Civilian levers" is what the Israeli cabinet has mockingly decided to call these "measures" of collective punishment. No doubt this sick euphemism was the brain-child of the ever-reliable Dov Weisglass, of "the Gaza diet" fame.

And remember, you are the "innocent Palestinians" stuck in the middle of all of this.

Now how about some thank you notes to Condi? Its Ramadan, after all, the month of mercy, forgiveness and thanks.

ISRAEL-OPT: Aid groups, UN protest Israeli sanctions move on Gaza

Ahmed, 14, and Amjad, 12, during a power cut in Tal Zaatar, Gaza. The Israeli cabinet decision would allow the state to cut fuel and electricity supplies to Gaza Strip.

JERUSALEM, 20 September 2007 (IRIN) - An Israeli cabinet decision on 19 September, which declared the Gaza Strip a "hostile entity" and which would allow the state to cut fuel and electricity supplies to the enclave, has been immediately condemned by aid and human rights organisations.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was concerned "such a step would be contrary to Israel's obligations towards the civilian population under international humanitarian and human rights law".

The people of Gaza are "already suffering from the impact of prolonged closure" and they should not be punished for the "unacceptable" actions of militants who fire rockets into Israel, Ban said.

The Israeli cabinet announced it would further restrict the passage of goods into Gaza and reduce power supplies. "Restrictions will also be placed on the movement of people to and from the Gaza Strip." However, there is "the intention to avoid a humanitarian crisis".

The decision, which has not yet been implemented, came a week after an Israeli military base was hit by Gazan rockets, leaving around 60 soldiers wounded.

...such a step would be contrary to Israel's obligations towards the civilian population under international humanitarian and human rights law.

The decision was harshly condemned by the Palestinian caretaker government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as by Hamas in Gaza, which described it as a "declaration of war".

Two rockets hit southern Israel shortly after the cabinet decision was announced.

What the decision could mean

Currently, only food and medical supplies are generally allowed in and all exports are banned. Construction materials are blocked, while it took several weeks and international pressure to allow paper for printing school books to arrive.

Movement of civilians is also already severely limited, and Gaza's Rafah Crossing to Egypt, has been closed since June. Further restrictions would likely ban even limited access to Israel.

Humanitarian concern

Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the decision is in line with international law and "it's not going to affect the humanitarian needs of the population in the Gaza Strip."

However, Oxfam International disagreed.

Photo: Tom Spender/IRIN

Palestinians wait in a queue at Beit Iba checkpoint in Gaza

"Reducing the fuel supplies to a bare minimum [will] only increase the suffering of one and a half million people in Gaza, and constitutes collective punishment," said Jeremy Hobbs, the group's executive director, adding it would be "immoral and contrary to the Geneva Conventions".

Cutting power, legal experts said, would not distinguish between civilians and militants.

Israel maintains it has very limited responsibility for the Gaza Strip since its 2005 redeployment of troops and settlers from the territory. Amnesty International, however, believes the Jewish state, is "ultimately responsible for ensuring the welfare of the… Palestinians who live in the Gaza Strip", since it "retains effective control" over the area.

The Israeli human rights group Gisha said the decision was "dangerous, because operating rooms, emergency services, sewage pumps and water wells cannot run without electricity".

Al Mezan condemns Israel's new collective punishment measures against Gaza, calls the international community to protect civilians

In its meeting yesterday, 19 September 2007, the Israeli security cabinet unanimously adopted decisions declaring the Gaza Strip a 'hostile territory' and employing new collective punishment measures against it. The decision was allegedly provoked by that the Strip is ruled by Hamas since 15 June 2007 and that rockets continue to be fired at Israel from it. The measures under question are oriented mainly at the civilian population.

The new measures include limiting the supplies of food, fuel and electricity as well as expanding the monitoring and restriction of funds. It was also decided to expand the Israeli military operations in the Strip. They represent an exacerbation of already employed closures and sanctions, which have continued for years now.

Clearly, the cuts or reductions of electricity, food, and fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip are contrary to Israeli's legal obligations under international law. They cannot be ethically justified. They are also indicative of Israel's indifference towards the aggravated situation under which 1.5 million Gazans live and a reckless disregard to civilian life and wellbeing. Declaring Gaza as a hostile territory erroneously suggests that Israel is exempted from its legal obligations and criminal responsibility towards Gaza's civilians under international law. However, Israel's ability to execute these measures immediately and effectively emanates from its full control of Gaza's land crossings, air space and territorial water; which evidently support Israel's status as an occupying power in Gaza.

Three months of total closure have added to the low humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Closures caused paralysis to its economy, increased poverty and unemployment, and raised dependency on humanitarian aid to near 100%. Israel's new decisions will only threaten the life and wellbeing of the civilian population; especially as they are designed to impact the civilian population, according to statements made by Israeli officials.

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns with the strongest terms the Israeli collective punishment measures against the Gaza Strip. Those measures are baseless morally and legally. Intentional targeting of civilians is absolutely prohibited under international law and cannot be justified on any grounds.

The pending cuts of essential supplies threaten civilian life; but most particularly the sick, elderly, and children. Al Mezan views this decision as a despicable form of collective punishment against the civilians, and; therefore, a crime against humanity.

The Centre deplores the declaration of Gaza as 'hostile territory', which ignores that it is an occupied territory in which Israel bears obligations vis-à-vis the civilian population as stipulated by international law.

Al Mezan also condemns the continued use, and threat of use, of excessive, disproportionate force by Israel's occupation forces as grave breaches of the Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL); particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the international human rights law, and especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, the International Covenant on the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of Child.

Additionally, Al Mezan views with much concern the continued silence of the international community, which has not taken any effective steps to challenge the human rights violations in the OPT and provide protection for civilians. Those lie at the center of the human rights responsibilities of the international community and should be respected.

Not only international law obliges Israel to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the civilians under its occupation, but also to secure the provision of their humanitarian needs and maintain functioning public facilities; specially those providing heath, food, water and sanitation.

Al Mezan calls all the international human rights organizations and intergovernmental bodies that are entrusted with ensuring respect and protection of human rights to condemn the Israeli decision and to take immediate and effective actions to prevent executing it.

It also calls the international community to uphold its legal and moral obligations towards Gaza's civilians and to intervene and protect civilians. Al Mezan calls upon the international community to condemn the aforementioned arbitrary measures as collective punishment that amounts to crimes against humanity, thus pursuing the persons who ordered or perpetrated them and brining them to justice.

Israel labels Gaza 'enemy entity'

Al Jazeera, 19/09/07. Israel's security cabinet has declared the Gaza Strip an "enemy entity", opening the way for cuts in fuel and other vital supplies to the territory. Hamas issued a statement in response, saying that the security cabinet's announcement on Wednesday amounted to a "declaration of war". The office of Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister, said his security cabinet approved the "enemy entity" classification and there would be "limitations on imports to the Gaza Strip and a reduction in the supply of fuel and electricity". Israel's said its move, coinciding with a visit to the region by Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, to promote a US-proposed Middle East peace conference, was a response to frequent cross-border rocket fire by armed groups in Gaza. With Israel maintaining tight control over Gaza's borders, air space and coastal waters, as well as withholding Palestinian tax revenue, the strip is largely reliant on Israel for utilities and humanitarian aid imports. By formally defining the Gaza Strip as an enemy entity, Israel could argue that it cannot be bound by international law governing the administration of occupied territory to supply power to the its population of 1.5 million.