GAZA BLOCKADE MUST BE COMPLETELY LIFTED - AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, June 18 (Bernama) -- Calls from governments and human rights bodies for Israel to lift its punishing blockade of Gaza are growing louder.

Joining in the fray is Amnesty International which has urged Tel Aviv to
completely remove, without delay, its blockade on the coastal strip.

The siege imposed a collective punishment of 1.4 million Palestinians, in
clear violation of international law, it said on its website.

The rights organisation alluded to Thursday's announcement by the Israeli
Cabinet that the blockade would be eased, allowing more of what it termed,
"civilian goods", into the territory.

"This announcement makes it clear that Israel is not intending to end its
collective punishment of Gaza's civilian population, but only ease it. This is
not enough," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International's director for the
Middle East and North Africa.

He said any step that would help reduce the dire humanitarian crisis in
Gaza would be welcomed, but Israel must now comply with its obligations as the
occupying power under international law, and immediately lift the blockade.

"Just as important as allowing goods into Gaza, is allowing exports to leave
Gaza, yet there is no mention of this in the announcement," he noted.

Smart said banning the vast majority of exports, raw materials and the
movement of people had destroyed Gaza's economy, and pushed its population
into unemployment, poverty and dependency on aid agencies for survival.

"These problems will not be solved while the blockade continues," he added.

-- BERNAMA