Raji Sourani, PCHR Director, told a 7-member British
parliamentary delegation visiting the Center’s office in Gaza that Israel’s
policy of hermetic closure of Gaza allowing only food in has transformed Gaza’s
365 square kilometer area into an animal farm. He added that this closure
transforms 1.6 million people in Gaza into a nation of beggars by only allowing
food products to enter. Sourani stated that the US and Europe are parties to the
crime against the Gaza Strip and its population by their consent and silence
towards this policy.
Sourani stated that it is not permissible, fair, or humane
to punish a whole nation for exercising their democratic right in 3 rounds of
fair and free elections from January 2005 to January 2006.
Also, Sourani highlighted Israeli human rights violations
perpetrated against Palestinian civilians, including the policies of
extra-judicial executions, willful killing, and indiscriminate detentions. He
added that no one can claim that there is holy blood and unholy blood!
On another front, Sourani briefed the visitors on the human
rights situation in the Gaza Strip, especially after Hamas takeover on 15 June
2007. He affirmed that the Palestinian scene witnessed a vertical political
split; and that the decisive military action, subsequent presidential decrees,
paralysis of the Palestinian parliament, and hindering the work of the judiciary
will not solve the political crisis. He stated that Palestinian dialogue is the
only savior from the storms wrecking the nation, and threatening to end the
Palestinian cause and its future.
Sourani stressed that Israel is using the status quo to
judaize Jerusalem and to ethnically cleanse Palestinains through settlement
expansion and accelerating the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the
West Bank. He added that the 40th anniversary of the occupation is
the worst and bloodiest year since 1967 instead of being an anniversary to end
the occupation. He added that the demands for independence and right of return
have been reduced on this anniversary to demanding the mere movement of
individuals and goods.
In the end, Sourani asked the British Parliamentarians to
convey the true picture of Palestinian life, and to work with freedom lovers
from around the world to uplift the current and historic injustice befalling
Palestinians.
It is noted that UNRWA coordinated the British
Parliamentary delegation’s visit; noting that this is the 4th
international delegation to visit PCHR since the start of September 2007.
Delegations from Front Line Defenders, Swedish Consulate and EU, and another
British Parliamentary Delegation have already visited the Centre this month.
