Press Release - 17th June, 2010
MAIREAD MAGUIRE CALLS FOR ISRAEL’S BLOCKADE OF GAZA TO BE LIFTED COMPLETELY
Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate, who was a passenger on the MV Rachel Corrie Ship which tried to break the Siege of Gaza and Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, but whose boat was illegally confiscated by Israeli Commandoes in International Water on 5th June, 2010 has responded to the news that Israeli Gov. has eased blockade on Gaza:
Ms. Maguire said:
“A partial lifting of the siege of Gaza by Israel, is not enough as the Israeli blockade of Gaza must be lifted completely.
“It is not enough that Israel allow a little more goods into Gaza, but that people and goods, both humanitarian and commercial, are allowed to move freely between Israel and Gaza. This was provided for in the Agreement on Movement & Access, which Israel signed up to in November 2005 and which set out the Arrangements that were supposed to operate for the passage of people and goods in and out of Gaza, in order to maintain its economic life, after Israel’s alleged ‘disengagement’ from Gaza.
“It is urgent that there be unfettered access to meet the humanitarian needs and to enable rebuilding of not only home and infrastructure, but trade must be permitted to build up the Gazan and Palestinian economy. Under Oslo Agreement Israel Agreed to opening of Port of Gaza (closed over 40 years ago) and this must be Opened, as well as their airport (which was bombed by Israel) rebuilt, so the people of Gaza have land, sea and air access and are no longer cut off from their Palestinian families and World community.
“This small step by the Israeli Government has shown what international pressure can achieve, but the International community must continue to demand that Israel Uphold human rights and International Law by lifting the siege of Gaza, ending the occupation of Palestine, and allowing the Palestinian People their right to self determination.”
Mairead Maguire
Nobel Peace Laureate
Peace People, N.Ireland.
www.peacepeople.com
