Gaza Strip

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Rome, 29th October 2008

Wonderful! "Dignity" the second boat arrived to Gaza and broke the siege!

International solidarity and commitment are fundamental for peace and human rights respect.

Luisa Morgantini will be in Gaza on 3rdNovember with an official delegation of the European Parliament

Rome, 29th October2008

SS Dignity is the name of the boat with twenty-seven crew and passengers from 13 countries that this morning, at 8 am, arrived to Gaza defying and breaking the Israeli siege on the Strip.

This represents an extraordinary success and a strong message sent by the representatives of the Free Gaza Campaign, who organized the trip in collaboration with International activists, including 1976 Nobel prize winner Mairead Corrigan McGuire, all on board in order to call on Israel and on the International Community for the immediate end of Gaza blockade.

Some of the activists, who were also carrying half-ton of medical supplies and other humanitarian aid, hardly to find because of the Israeli closures of the Strip, will try now to reach Ramallah and others will stay in Gaza for a month.

Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative and PLC member, Mustafa Barghouthi, who was on board SS Dignity and entered to Gaza Strip, recalled the need of unity for the Palestinian people and Territory: "Despite the injustice against the Palestinian people we believe in justice and will keep on trying to break Israel's siege. The occupation has divided the Palestinians, but our non-violent resistance has united us", Barghouti said.

It was the second time in three months, that a boat arrived to the Strip despite of the Israeli siege.

Many people supported this action and we should thank all of them, including the Greek and Cypriote Authorities who didn't accept any pressures by Israel in order to impede the boat to sail towards Gaza where against all humanitarian and international law 1.5 million people are suffering under an Israeli-led blockade since June 2007, with restrictions on vital goods, food, fuel and medical supplies. Of course in Gaza civilians are also suffering for the responsibility of the leaderships who are not able to put an end to their division and it is very grave that while the UN declared a world moratorium on death penalty, a Court in Gaza condemned 4 people to death.

But the tragedy and the suffering for population in Gaza seem not to have an end and in these days they are increased because of the heavy showers and violent rainwater that in different areas of the Strip flooded and destroyed many houses, a great part from refugee camps. Dozens and dozens of people became homeless and in need of more aid and assistance, as declared by Al Mezan Center that urged immediately the end of the siege.

The European Union must immediately intervene in order to help the homeless and ask also to the Egyptian Government for the freedom of movement for Palestinians.

I am deeply convinced that the right way to follow is a great movement of non violent protests against all violations of human rights and legality for Palestinians from Gaza Strip but also from the West Bank: they need a strong International solidarity and the commitment of all Governments and diplomacy, to put an end to the siege and to the Israeli military occupation on 1967 Territories.

Dignity of life must be a legitimate and respected right for Palestinians in Gaza Strip: the Israeli siege must end.

>From 30Th October till 4th November 2008, Luisa Morgantini will participate to an official EP delegation to the Palestinian Territory. She will also visit the Gaza Strip.

For further information, interview and statements please contact Luisa Morgantini 0039 348 39 21 465 or 00972 54 72 71 742 (Palestinian mob.)
or

Office in Rome 00 39 06 69 95 02 17

luisa.morgantini@europarl.europa.eu; www.luisamorgantini.net;