Oxfam: Ashton must match words with action

Ma'an
Oxfam international urged EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton to make the immediate lifting of the Israeli-imposed blockade her top priority as she prepares to visit the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

...it is now time for the international community to put its mouth where its money is and insist that Israel fully opens all the crossings" said Oxfam International Executive Director Jeremy Hobbs.

The Israeli imposed siege on the coastal enclave entered its 1,000th day last week, as Gaza's economy remains on the verge of collapse, basic water and sanitation services are crippled, "and ordinary Gazans are struggling to make a leaving," the statement said.

"At a moment when the European Union is aiming to build strong, unified foreign policy, Lady Ashton must bring a clear message to her Quartet counterparts in Moscow and to EU Foreign Ministers that the blockade must not be allowed to continue for a third year. This will be a step towards reaching a sustainable, just and secure peace in the Middle East," Hobbs added.

Oxfam added that while Israel has a duty to protect its citizens, "[Israel] cannot impose a blockade on every civilian in Gaza. This constitutes collective punishment, which is illegal under international law. The EU should make any future upgrade in economic and political relations dependent on the end of the blockade."   Full story