Category: Past Events Published Date
Date: 17 Oct 2008
Title: THE GAZA STRIP: A HUMANITARIAN IMPLOSION
Speakers: Oxfam, Amnesty International, Medecins du Monde, St. John's Eye Hospital (Jerusalem & Gaza), Prof. Colin Green (Imperial College)
Event Details
"The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion" is the title of a recent report jointly authored by the following NGOs and charities: Amnesty International, ChristianAid, CAFOD, Care, Medecins du Monde, Oxfam, Save the Children UK and Trocaire. The report's executive summary states:
"The situation for 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is worse now than it has ever been since the start of the Israeli military occupation in 1967. The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can also be reversed.
Gaza has suffered from a long-term pattern of economic stagnation and plummeting development indicators. The severity of the situation has increased exponentially since Israel imposed extreme restrictions on the
movement of goods and people in response to the Hamas take over of Gaza and to indiscriminate rocket
attacks against Israel. This report illustrates the gravity of the current situation across key sectors ...
The blockade has effectively dismantled the economy and impoverished the population of Gaza.
Israel's policy affects the civilian population of Gaza indiscriminately and constitutes a collective
punishment against ordinary men, women and children. The measures taken are illegal under international humanitarian law.
Israel has the right and duty to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks against its civilian
population, but the current policy fails to provide Israel with increased security and has led to
increasing polarisation. As the head of UNRWA has pointed out, 'Hungry, unhealthy, angry communities
do not make good partners for peace.'
International efforts should be directed towards securing a swift end to the blockade of Gaza. Israel's
current policy of isolation and refusal to engage with all elements of the Palestinian leadership only closes doors to negotiations while reinforcing the political and humanitarian crisis.
There is an urgent need for Palestinian dialogue and reconciliation in order to create and sustain a credible and effective peace process with Israel. The international community must provide the political support to facilitate such an undertaking. To date,
failure to address the situation in Gaza has harmed both Palestinians and Israelis and has been detrimental to the broader peace process itself."
Join us for an update on the latest situation in Gaza and to learn how you can help improve matters there.
About the speakers:
SUSAN WRIGHT joined Medecins du Monde UK in December 2006 after five years in Bosnia and Herzegovina where she worked with Paddy Ashdown as Head of the Rule of Law Department at the Office of the High Representative. She studied at Howard University, Harvard University in addition to being a Fulbright Scholar. She has taught International Criminal Law and worked in Sierra Leone for the war crimes tribunal. She leads the team at Medecins du Monde UK, with a particular focus on advocacy.
Donatella Rovera (Amnesty International)
Richard Stanforth (Oxfam UK)
John Talbot (St. John's Eye Hospital, Jerusalem & Gaza)
Prof. Colin Green (Imperial College)