FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Poverty will devastate Palestinian people if there is not an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

2009-01-03

The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) condemns the prolonged border blockade, the on-going air and ground attacks on Gaza and missile attacks on Israel.  The world’s largest anti-poverty alliance calls upon the international community to intervene to bring about an immediate ceasefire so goods and people can move freely through Gaza’s borders.

“Collective punishment is against international law, and many of victims are civilians, including children. The conflict has serious implications on the availability of food, water and medicines in Gaza. Spending on war and conflict is directing valuable resources away from anti poverty programs,” said Ziad Abdel Samad, Coordinator Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) and member of GCAP Arab Region.

“The UN, the European Union, the Arab League, Russia and the USA must act together to ensure a total stoppage to the Israeli attacks.  This must include the opening of border points not only for humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, but also to allow Palestinians in Gaza make a living.  The already high levels of violence and poverty families experienced before the attacks will become simply devastating without immediate action,” said Sylvia Borren, Co-Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, and part of the IWC (The International Women’s Commission for a just and sustainable Palestinian-Israeli Peace).

Recent efforts at peace building risk being totally undermined now as extremists on both sides are strengthened and democratic groups weakened. The only way to achieve a secure and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through a commitment by both sides to a meaningful dialogue and negotiation. All the blockades and other conditions that stifle Gaza’s economy and prevent its citizens from earning a living must be removed immediately. The escalation of this conflict also negatively affects peace- and interfaith initiatives elsewhere in the world.

Notes to editors

GCAP has over 100 coalitions worldwide including 10 active in the Arab region.  GCAP Palestine has worked for four years to call for an end to the root causes to poverty, including the Israeli operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

For further information or to book an interview with a GCAP spokesperson contact: Ciara O’Sullivan, cel + 34 679 598 809 ciara.osullivan@civicus.org 

See www.whiteband.org for more information on GCAP

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is a civil society alliance of social movements, international NGOs, trade unions, community groups, women’s organizations, faith and youth groups, local associations and campaigners working together across more than 100 national coalitions/platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, GCAP demands solutions that address the issues of public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights; trade justice; more and better aid; debt cancellation; and gender equality and women’s rights. For more information, visit www.whiteband.org

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