Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says the government
urgently needs to join international condemnation of Israel’s
suspension of dozens of humanitarian organisations,
including Doctors Without Borders, which provide food, water
and medical services for Palestinians in Gaza.
“This
is a death sentence to thousands more Palestinian in
Gaza,” says PSNA Co-Chair John Minto.
“With
western countries distracted by New Year celebrations,
Israel has decided to dramatically tighten its stranglehold
on aid to Gaza.”
“Only 20% of the aid agreed under
the so-called ‘ceasefire agreement’ has been allowed
in.”
“Israel’s aim is to deepen the humanitarian
crisis to make it easier to expel Palestinians from Gaza.
It’s latest plan is to banish them to the rebel state of
Somaliland – a country which is recognised only by
Israel!”
“This is all the more reason for New
Zealand to speak out now before the ban is due to take
affect this Thursday.”
“There is a new government
pattern, which started with a negative vote in the United
Nations on recognition of Palestine earlier in the year,”
Minto says.
“New Zealand has now abandoned standing
with other western countries, who have condemned Israel’s
refusal to allow full resumption of humanitarian aid into
Gaza, which Israel agreed to under the deal of October
10th”.
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In a joint statement Britain, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden and
Switzerland have stated: “As winter draws in civilians in
Gaza are facing appalling conditions with heavy rainfall and
temperatures dropping” and demands Israel increase the
flow of aid.
Minto asks “why did New Zealand not
sign that letter?”
“New Zealand was also unmoved
by appeals
from the United Nations Office for the co-ordination of
Humanitarian Affairs earlier in
December.”
“Israel has ignored these repeated UN
appeals and New Zealand has conveniently looked the other
way.”
“And while Trump has just said Israel is
‘100% compliant’ with the ceasefire terms, he, and our
government too, have ignored the fact that Israeli forces
have already directly killed more than 400 Palestinians
during the
ceasefire.”
