YWCAs in the Middle East condemning the assault on a Gaza-bound vessel
From May 27 to June 1, 2010, the World YWCA held its Middle East Regional Training Institute (RTI) in Cairo, Egypt. During the meeting, and after hearing of the disconcerting current occurrences in the region, the participants from the YWCAs of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine, came together to put forth the following common statement expressing their concerns:
Appeal for Action issued by YWCA’s in the Middle East region
To Stop the Israeli Attacks and Lift the Siege over Gaza
Cairo, June 1, 2010: On 31 May 2010, the Free Gaza Flotilla was attacked by the Israeli army in the Mediterranean Sea, as it was approaching Gaza beaches, sailing from Cyprus, carrying food and medical supplies, as well as international Parliamentarians, civilians, media reporters, and peace activists. This bombardment resulted in the killing of 9 innocent civilians, and the injury of 40 to 50 others. The rest of that group have been taken by Israeli forces for interrogation, and threatened of deportation or imprisonment.
As of 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza and converted life for the Palestinians into a series of infernos. Since then, Israel has also launched many wars on Lebanon, and continues to occupy South Lebanon and the Golan Heights of Syria. More than 650,000 Palestinians have experienced political imprisonment; tens of thousands have been killed, injured, and incapacitated, including women and children. 18,000 homes have been demolished leaving the families homeless and displaced. Israel has consistently imposed collective punishment on the whole population, instituted check points in the country, built a monstrous and massive wall threatening the contiguity of the Palestinian land, and prohibiting thousands of Palestinians from accessing their lands, schools, health services, water resources, religious places and family members in other parts of the country.
Since 21/1/2007, the total population of 1.5 million in Gaza has been under Israeli siege, struggling to live on decreasing and minimal food and health supplies which have made every day life practically unbearable. Unfortunately, Israel continues to ignore all calls for the end of the siege, and continues consistently to illegally occupy neighbouring countries, and violate all basic human rights and international and UN resolutions.
We the YWCA’s in the Middle East region who are meeting for our Regional Training Institute in Cairo, are deeply concerned about the escalating situation and its impact on women and children, and condemn the continued, aggression of Israel on innocent citizens,. which is a constant threat to the stability of the region as well as to World Peace.
The YWCAs of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine call on all YWCA associations around the world, to take immediate action to:
- Condemn the attack on the “Freedom” fleet and innocent civilians
- Exert pressure immediately on your respective governments to pressure Israel to lift the unjust siege imposed on the beleaguered Gaza, and release the peace activists who have been detained by the Israeli government
- Join the Peace and Justice demonstrations in your respective countries around the world
- Join the growing BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement against Israel
- Urge Israel to respect and implement all UN Resolutions on the Middle East
- Call on your media and demand that they expose this humanitarian disaster
- Continue the call for the end of Israeli Occupation: of the West Bank, Gaza, South Lebanon and the Golan Heights
- Continue to educate your membership on the root causes of the conflict in the Middle East and violations of Human Rights in the region
Support us to end the siege over Gaza
Join us in our call for Peace and Justice in the Middle East
The YWCAs of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine
Links:
