London, July 21, IRNA — Eighteen leading Non-Governmental Organizations have called on the European Union to press Israel to lift blockade on Gaza.
Organisations including Christian Aid, CAFOD, Amnesty International, Pax Christi and War Child UK issued a joint call to coincide with the visit of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to Gaza this week.
“The EU must insist on the full lifting of the blockade of Gaza, not just its easing, if it is serious about helping the economy of Gaza recover and allowing its people to rebuild their lives,” the NGOs said in a letter to Ashton and EU government.
“While the changes in the blockade policy announced by the government of Israel on 20 June and 5 July represent steps forward, they fall short of what is needed to rebuild Gaza’s economy and what is required by international law”, the letter said.
Their call comes ahead of EU foreign ministers meeting at their next General Affairs Council meeting on Monday July 26, when the situation of Gaza is expected to be discussed.
The NGOs urged action on the ground in five “key areas”: ending the ban on exports from Gaza; allowing movement of people into and from Gaza; ensuring sufficient capacity and efficiency of the crossings; allowing the entry of construction materials for the private sector; and ensuring access to Gaza’s agricultural land and fishing grounds.
“Securing clear commitments on these issues – rather than only the implementation of the announced changes – should now be a top priority,” they said in extracts of the letter obtained by IRNA.
Amnesty International’s UK Director, Kate Allen, said that banning the vast majority of exports and the general movement of people has “destroyed the economy of Gaza and pushed its population into poverty, dependency and despair.”
“Instead of collectively punishing the civilian population, Israel must comply with its obligations as the occupying power under international law and immediately lift the blockade in its entirety so Gazans can rebuild their shattered lives”, Allen said.
On exports, the joint letter pointed out that even under the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access, signed by Israel, the target for exports was set at 400 truckloads of exports a day, while in contrast, just 259 truckloads in total have left Gaza since the blockade began over three years ago.
Recent announcements make no provision at all for opening up exports – and yet “there can be no economic recovery in Gaza without exports,” it said.
The NGOs also stressed that the ban on movement of people to and from Gaza must be lifted to allow people to trade, work, study, receive medical treatment and visit family members.
Particularly vital is movement between Gaza and the West Bank, which is essential for the “healthy functioning of Palestinian society and for the development of its economy,” they said.