🚀 go-pugleaf

On Nov 25, 3:19 pm, "John H Fisher" <TaxServ...@aol.com> wrote:
> UN human rights chief calls for end to Israeli blockade of Gaza Striphttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28983&Cr=palestin&Cr1=

Fascinating how this person addresses the blockade but not its cause.
>
>  18 November 2008 - The top United Nations human rights official called
> today for an immediate end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which
> she said contravened international law and had deprived those living there
> of their most basic human rights for months.
> "By function of this blockade, 1.5 million Palestinian men, women and
> children have been forcibly deprived of their most basic human rights for
> months," said Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "This
> is in direct contravention of international human rights and humanitarian
> law. It must end now," she said.
>
> Ms. Pillay called on the Israeli authorities to facilitate the urgent
> passage of essential humanitarian goods into Gaza, including food, medical
> supplies and fuel, to allow the immediate restoration of electricity, water
> and other essential services, and to lift restrictions on the movement of
> civilians for medical, educational and religious purposes.
>
> "Decisive steps must be taken to preserve the dignity and basic welfare of
> the civilian population, more than half of which are children," she said.
>
> Ms. Pillay welcomed the decision by Israel to allow a limited number of
> trucks to enter Gaza on 17 November, but recalled its obligation to refrain
> from all measures that contravene international law.
>
> "Only a full lifting of the blockade followed by a strong humanitarian
> response will be adequate to relieve the massive humanitarian suffering
> evident in Gaza today," she said.
>
> The High Commissioner also appealed for a complete cessation of Israeli air
> strikes and incursions, and of rocket fire by Palestinian groups.
>
> Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
> today to express his deep concern over the consequences of the deteriorating
> humanitarian situation inside Gaza.
>
> Mr. Ban strongly urged Mr. Olmert to facilitate the freer movement of
> humanitarian supplies and needed UN personnel into Gaza.
>
> The Israeli leader denounced the continuing rocket fire into Israeli from
> Gaza, but agreed to look seriously into the matter raised by Mr. Ban,
> according to a read-out of the telephone call.
>
> Also today, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
> Near East (UNRWA) drew attention to what it called "unprecedented levels of
> hardship" in Gaza. It said mothers were being turned away from UNRWA food
> centres without powdered milk for their babies, while the agency had been
> unable to get supplies in, even for blind children.