London,IRNA – The international community was castigated Tuesday by more than a dozen British aid agencies and human rights group for failing to end Israel’s three-year old siege of Gaza.
A report published just ahead of the first anniversary of the start of Israel’s latest slaughter of more than 1,400 Palestinians condemns not only the Zionist regime for denying humanitarian aid but also the world community for not helping the people of Gaza.
“Punishing the entire civilian population of Gaza for the acts of a few is a collective punishment which is unacceptable and violates international law,” said the report from Oxfam, Christian Aid, Amnesty International, Medical Aid for Palestinians and 12 other agencies.
“World powers have failed and even betrayed Gaza’s ordinary citizens”, said Oxfam’s executive director, Jeremy Hobbs.
“They have wrung hands and issued statements, but have taken little meaningful action to attempt to change the damaging policy that prevents reconstruction, personal recovery and economic recuperation,” Hobbs said.
The report calls on the EU to take “concerted action” to end the blockade of Gaza and put its relations with Israel on hold pending tangible progress.
The EU’s new high representative for foreign policy, Baroness Ashton was urged to pay an urgent visit to Gaza. Only one EU foreign minister, Sweden’s Carl Bildt, has visited since the massacres that started on December 27 last year.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair, the envoy of the Middle East Quartet, was also criticised for only going to Gaza for the first time in March, two years after he was appointed.
“Securing an immediate opening of the Gaza crossings for building materials to repair ruined homes and civilian infrastructure as winter sets in would be an important step towards an end to the blockade,” warned the NGOs.
“The wretched reality endured by 1.5 million people in Gaza should appal anybody with an ounce of humanity,” said Amnesty International’s UK director, Kate Allen.
“Sick, traumatised and impoverished people are being collectively punished by a cruel, illegal policy imposed by the Israeli authorities,” Allen said.
Adding his voice in an article for the Guardian newspaper, leader of Britain’s Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg also warns not enough is being done.
“Tough sounding declarations are issued at regular intervals but little real pressure is applied,” Clegg said. “It is a scandal that the international community has sat on its hands in the face of this unfolding crisis.”