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Gaza conditions ‘at 40-year low’

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Gaza’s humanitarian situation is at its worst since Israel occupied the territory in 1967, say UK-based human rights and development groups. They include Amnesty International, Save the Children, Cafod, Care International and Christian Aid. They criticise Israel’s blockade on Gaza as illegal collective punishment which fails to deliver security.

Israel says its military action and other measures are lawful and needed to stop rocket attacks from Gaza. Israel pulled its troops and settlers out of the Gaza Strip in 2005, but retains control over Gaza’s airspace and coastline, and over its own border with the territory.

It tightened its blockade in January amid a surge in rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Israel’s Defence Ministry rejected the criticism in the report, blaming the Hamas militant group which controls Gaza.

“The main responsibility for events in Gaza is the Hamas organisation, to which all complaints should be addressed,” a statement read.

‘Disaster’

The groups’ report, Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion, says the blockade has dramatically worsened levels of poverty and unemployment, and has led to deterioration in education and health services.

More than 1.1 million Gazans are dependent on food aid and of 110,000 workers previously employed in the private sector, 75,000 have now lost their jobs, the report says.

“Unless the blockade ends now, it will be impossible to pull Gaza back from the brink of this disaster and any hopes for peace in the region will be dashed,” said Geoffrey Dennis, of Care International UK.

Last week Israeli forces launched a bloody and destructive raid in northern Gaza, in which more than 120 Palestinians - including many civilians - were killed.

Israel says the measures are designed to stamp out frequent rocket fire by Palestinian militants.

Recent rocket attacks have hit deeper into southern Israel, reaching Ashkelon, the closest large Israeli city to the Gaza Strip.

Occupying power

The UK-based groups agree that Israel has the right and obligation to protect its citizens, urging both sides to cease unlawful attacks on civilians.

The Israeli army has cut access to Gaza for almost all traffic

But they call upon Israel to comply with its obligations, as the occupying power in Gaza, to ensure its inhabitants have access to food, clean water, electricity and medical care, which have been in short supply in the strip.

“Punishing the entire Gazan population by denying them these basic human rights is utterly indefensible,” said Amnesty UK Director Kate Allen.

“The current situation is man-made and must be reversed.”

Other recommendations from the groups include international engagement with the Hamas movement, which rejects Israel’s legitimacy and has been shunned by Israel’s allies, and the Fatah party of Palestinian West Bank leader Mahmoud Abbas.

“Gaza cannot become a partner for peace unless Israel, Fatah and the Quartet [the US and UN, Europe and Russia] engage with Hamas and give the people of Gaza a future,” said Daleep Mukarji of Christian Aid.

Last Updated: Thursday, 6 March 2008, 09:15 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Gaza conditions ‘at 40-year low’ The groups say a battered, starved Gaza cannot be a peace partner Conditions in Gaza Gaza’s humanitarian situation is at its worst since Israel occupied the territory in 1967, say UK-based human rights and development groups. They include Amnesty International, Save the Children, Cafod, Care International and Christian Aid. They criticise Israel’s blockade on Gaza as illegal collective punishment which fails to deliver security. Israel says its military action and other measures are lawful and needed to stop rocket attacks from Gaza. Israel pulled its troops and settlers out of the Gaza Strip in 2005, but retains control over Gaza’s airspace and coastline, and over its own border with the territory. Click here to for an enlarged map of the Gaza Strip It tightened its blockade in January amid a surge in rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza. Israel’s Defence Ministry rejected the criticism in the report, blaming the Hamas militant group which controls Gaza. “The main responsibility for events in Gaza is the Hamas organisation, to which all complaints should be addressed,” a statement read. ‘Disaster’ The groups’ report, Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion, says the blockade has dramatically worsened levels of poverty and unemployment, and has led to deterioration in education and health services. Gaza cannot become a partner for peace unless Israel, Fatah and the Quartet engage with Hamas and give the people of Gaza a future Daleep Mukarji, Christian Aid Gaza’s humanitarian crisis Profile: Gaza Strip More than 1.1 million Gazans are dependent on food aid and of 110,000 workers previously employed in the private sector, 75,000 have now lost their jobs, the report says. “Unless the blockade ends now, it will be impossible to pull Gaza back from the brink of this disaster and any hopes for peace in the region will be dashed,” said Geoffrey Dennis, of Care International UK. Last week Israeli forces launched a bloody and destructive raid in northern Gaza, in which more than 120 Palestinians - including many civilians - were killed. Israel says the measures are designed to stamp out frequent rocket fire by Palestinian militants. Recent rocket attacks have hit deeper into southern Israel, reaching Ashkelon, the closest large Israeli city to the Gaza Strip. Occupying power The UK-based groups agree that Israel has the right and obligation to protect its citizens, urging both sides to cease unlawful attacks on civilians. The Israeli army has cut access to Gaza for almost all traffic But they call upon Israel to comply with its obligations, as the occupying power in Gaza, to ensure its inhabitants have access to food, clean water, electricity and medical care, which have been in short supply in the strip. “Punishing the entire Gazan population by denying them these basic human rights is utterly indefensible,” said Amnesty UK Director Kate Allen. “The current situation is man-made and must be reversed.” Other recommendations from the groups include international engagement with the Hamas movement, which rejects Israel’s legitimacy and has been shunned by Israel’s allies, and the Fatah party of Palestinian West Bank leader Mahmoud Abbas. “Gaza cannot become a partner for peace unless Israel, Fatah and the Quartet [the US and UN, Europe and Russia] engage with Hamas and give the people of Gaza a future,” said Daleep Mukarji of Christian Aid.

BBC

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US Rep. Weiner tells FBI to drop Clemens probe

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Queens congressman: Drop case against Clemens

BY ARTHUR STAPLE

Rep. Anthony Weiner has a message for the FBI regarding Roger Clemens: Drop it.

Weiner (D-Forest Hills), a 2009 mayoral hopeful and a Mets fan, said Wednesday he believes Clemens lied Feb. 13 to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. But Weiner said the court of public opinion was better served to judge Clemens than an understaffed Justice Department.

“While there may have been some wrongdoing, I think we should let this issue be waived in light of the other challenges we face,” Weiner said, noting he had sent a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey .saying the same thing.

“The Justice Department has to make decisions every day on how to allocate their limited resources. The end of this investigation will not be taking someone who’s selling HGH to our children off the streets. It only leads to whether Roger Clemens was truthful or not.”

Weiner, part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that grilled the commissioners of the four major pro sports a week ago, said .Congress has done all it can do about steroids in pro sports.

“We’re not legislating here,” he said. “We’re delving into an interesting topic for the .public. At the end of the day, .steroids is a PR issue for pro sports.”

Weiner said he’s among the many who think that .Clemens lied to Congress, which prompted the committee to recommend an FBI investigation to .determine whether Clemens committed perjury, a felony.

But, he added, “I do believe that public embarrassment is a sanction. The real consequences are a loss of revenue from endorsements and a loss of respect in the eyes of the fans. It may be that Roger Clemens’ entry into the Hall of Fame is in question. It may be that future employers won’t have an interest in his services.”

As Weiner views the role of the federal government, that should be enough.

“The question is not whether someone who may have committed a crime is walking away scot-free,” he said. “It’s about whether someone who’s committed a crime is walking away because the frankly limited federal .resources aren’t being properly allocated.”

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