Kucinich: End the Gaza Blockade

by Charles Lenchner · 2008-12-09 08:58:00 UTC
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It's refreshing that we have at least one politician willing to state the obvious.

Israel has a right to defend itself and its citizens. This includes taking action against Hamas for its abominable mortar attacks into southern Israel. However that action should not and cannot amount to collective punishment against the Palestinian people, prohibited by Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, as it does today.

Israel’s debilitating blockade has halted the supply of UN food and medical aid to 750,000 Palestinians and forced Gaza’s sole power plant to shut down. Since its imposition the blockade has effectively resulted in the collapse of the economy and limited access to basic goods including wheat, flour, baby milk, rice, sanitized water, and other essential goods. It has also destroyed Gaza’s public service infrastructure. Due to Israel’s prohibition on the import of spare parts as well as its punitive restrictions on fuel and electricity, hospitals cannot operate lifesaving equipment and nearly 40-50 tons of sewage pours into the sea daily.

This is part of an open letter to Secretary of State Rice. While Israel reportedly allowed some fuel and food in yesterday, the occupation of Gaza isn't over until there is no longer an Israeli finger on the gates to Gaza.

[This just in: Kucinich is allegedly working on an open letter to Gazans asking them to consider "not eating meat this holiday season." Stay tuned.]

Charles Lenchner
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