Churches for Middle East Peace joins to urge Administration to end Gaza closure
Churches for Middle East Peace joins to urge Administration to end Gaza closure
Churches for Middle East Peace on Thursday co-signed a letter with six other concerned American organizations in signing a letter to President Obama urging the Administration to pressure Israel to end its closure policy on Gaza in order to alleviate the humanitarian crisis there. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ are members of CMEP which, along with the Foundation for Middle East Peace, Americans for Peace Now, the Arab-American Institute, J Street, B’Tselem, and Rabbis for Human Rights–North America, made the following points in the letter:
- Because of severe restrictions of essential imports and most exports caused by Israel’s closure policy, Gazans have been unable to restore minimal standards of welfare or to rebuild Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, housing, and the economy after the destruction of the war last year.
- Per- capita income in Gaza is now about $1 a day. 40% of Gazans are jobless. Many thousands of Gazans – 70% of whom are under 30 – are homeless. Power outages average eight hours a day, for lack of fuel.
- Israel’s closure policy is designed to weaken Hamas’ hostile leadership, to persuade Hamas to cease firing rockets at civilian targets in Israel, and to release Corporal Gilad Shalit. However, the closure, instead of accomplishing these goals, has harmed Israel’s security by strengthening Hamas and adding to tensions that threaten renewed violence.
- Gazans’ rights to minimal standards of food security, shelter, health, education and to travel are protected under international law. These needs should not be held hostage to security and political issues.
- Therefore, the United States, while supporting a resolution of security and political issues that are essential to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine, should, in the meantime and urgently, ask Israel to change its closure policies to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.