Ref: 59/2009
On Wednesday, 4 November 2009, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) received, in its main office in Gaza, a French delegation from the General Council of Essonne County (Le Counseil General du Essonne) south of Paris, in France. The ten-member delegation included French MPs and representatives from different political factions, and was headed by Patrice Vinyl.
The delegation members met Deputy Director of PCHR, Jaber Wishah, who criticized, in his opening speech, the last French stance in the meetings of the Human Rights Council regarding the Goldstone Report. He called on the delegation members to pressure the French government to adopt a stand supporting justice and humanity. Mr. Wishah noted that, in this regard, the prosecution of alleged Israeli war criminals and an end to impunity for violations perpetrated against the Palestinian civilians and properties is essential. He also called them upon the hard work so as to ensure the activation of Aticle 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The meeting discussed the Goldstone report including its conclusions and recommendations. Wishah asserted the importance this report and the significance of implementing all of its recommendations. He also stressed that impunity led to the escalation of the illegal Israeli acts showing that the recommendations of the said report offer the international community a chance to repair the prevalent situation of impunity.
After that, Wishah talked about the current conditions and the human rights situation in Gaza, highlighting the illegal Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza. He also talked about the disastrous impacts of the blockade on all aspects of life, and called upon the delegation to exert pressure on Israel so as to allow the transfer of necessary materials needed for the reconstruction of Gaza.
Moreover, Wishah expressed his appreciation regarding the support provided by French civil society organizations through their permanent attempts for visit Gaza and closely observing what is happening on the ground; in addition to the efforts exerted to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip via crossings in spite of the restrictions imposed on the movement of people and goods and the frequency with which they are denied access to Gaza.
Wishah also welcomed the efforts exerted to ensure the success of the “Gaza Freedom March”, which is expected to start on 1 January 2010. The March is organized by the International Movement against Globalization and U.S. Hegemony and Zionism as part of the international solidarity with the Gaza Strip and the efforts exerted to lift the siege.
For his part, head of the delegation, Patrice Vinyl, confirmed that the council, which includes 48 members representing 98 governorates in Essonne County, has lately taken a decision by consensus to condemn the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza. He explained that the council works in cooperation with the French civil society organizations so as to lift the siege imposed on Gaza.
The delegation members carried out field visits to the northern Gaza Strip and to Khan Yunis. The delegation included members from the French town of Evry which has twinning relationship with Khan Yunis.
