The Free Gaza Movement (UK Chapter):
International solidarity activists brought to Gaza by Free Gaza’s
boats witnessed first hand the destruction and massacres wrought on
the people of Gaza during Operation Cast Lead this January. [1]
Cast Lead saw over 1400 Palestinians killed, a third of them women and
children, 11,000 homes, over 200 schools and hundreds of businesses
damaged or destroyed. Netanyahu believes this invasion did not go far
enough.
As a former Minister of Finance, Netanyahu has been responsible for
financing military operations that wilfully destroyed property, land
and civilian lives; the expansion of illegal settlements, and the
construction of the ‘Security Barrier’ re-named the ‘Apartheid Wall’
for its’ reinforcement of Bantustans in the West Bank.
The Free Gaza Movement calls on UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to
adhere to his legal obligations, on behalf of the UK, as a signatory
to the Geneva Conventions and European Convention on Human Rights, to
enforce international law in relation to Israel’s illegal activities.
This means action to immediately halt the construction of the illegal
apartheid wall, a barrier to peace that steals land and water
resources from the Palestinian population of the west bank.
This means action to end the illegal and collectively punishing siege of the
Gaza Strip that has blocked essential medical treatment, directly
resulting in the deaths of over 350 people in the past three years.
This means action to end to the ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem,
where over 2000 homes have been set for demolition.
This means action to halt the expansion of new settlements in the West
Bank and dismantling existing ones - all are illegal under international law.
Taking decisive enforcement action on these violations of international
law is not an option, it is a legal obligation. Demands and positions
must be backed up by decisive action – sanctions – if international
law is not adhered to.
It is not an option for the British Prime Minister to derogate from
his duties in respect to the international community and the UK
community.
Media Contacts
[1] (All witnesses to Operation Cast Lead) - available for interview
Jenny Linnell, Free Gaza Movement (UK) 0044 7970 976 911
Ewa Jasiewicz, Free Gaza Movement (UK) 0044 7749 421 576 (volunteer
with ambulances and witness to white phosophorous bombing of Beit
Lahiya Elementary School)
Fida Qeshta, International Solidarity Movement co-ordinator for Gaza
(Palestinian Gazan - currently in the UK) 0044 7833 626 178
Sharyn Lock, Free Gaza (UK Resident) 0044 7881 651 259 (volunteer with
ambulances and witness to tank shelling and bombardment of Al Qds
Hospital with white phosphorous)