Martin Hartberg Says Cease-Fire Is Only First Step
JERUSALEM, NOV. 26, 2012 (Zenit.org).-
A spokesman for the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (Oxfam) stated
that current cease-fire agreement between Israel and Palestine "is not
sufficient" in restoring peace in the region.
Martin Hartberg of
Oxfam International released a statement to Fides News Agency calling
for an end to the embargo of Gaza which that "for five years has been
subject to a crippling blockade, which has limited imports and exports
and destroyed its economy."
Oxfam International, which is one of the largest in the world and has
its headquarters in the United Kingdome, is present in Israel and
Palestine with development projects for disadvantaged groups, measures
concerning child protection, and activities in the field of social and
health support for rural development.
While welcoming the news of the cease-fire, Hartberg said that while
it is essential, it is still only the first step. "Violence in recent
weeks has been devastating for the people in Gaza and Israel. Hundreds
of lives have been lost and homes, schools and kindergartens destroyed.
People need to be able to go back to living a normal life," the
statement read.
For over a week the school in Gaza and southern Israel have been
closed and the activities through which people make a living in Gaza,
such as fishing and agriculture, have been stopped because [it is]
considered too dangerous. "
Hartberg also stated that since the blockade began five years ago, "a
third of the companies in Gaza have closed and 80% of the population is
now in need of aid."
The spokesman for Oxfam concluded his statement calling on the
international community to "be bolder" in ending the embargo affecting
Gaza. Only by removing the blockade, he stated, "we will have a chance
to end the relentless cycle of violence that has devastated millions of
lives."
"If the Gaza blockade continues and the Palestinians in Gaza and the
West Bank remain separate, it will be impossible to reach the solution
of two states for two peoples advocated by the international
community."
An interesting lack of contex here. What's the reason for the Israeli blockade? And why haven't the Palestinians just imported what they want through their border with Egypt?
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