Safe waters for the Women’s Boat to Gaza

I write in response to Honest Reporting’s letter with regards to the Women’s Boat to Gaza. (The Telegram, Sept. 17).

On June 16 the UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon visited Gaza and said the following about the Israeli blockade, “the closure of Gaza suffocates its people, stifles its economy and impedes reconstruction efforts. It’s a collective punishment for which there must be accountability.”

The World Bank is also clear Israeli restrictions are the main economic restraint that is hurting investment. Only 11 per cent of the 11,000 housing units that were totally destroyed by Israeli bombardment have been rebuilt to date leaving over 70,000 people displaced.

The UN trade and development agency recently reported that Gaza farmers are being denied access to half of the cultivable area while fishers are denied access to 85 per cent of fishery resources.

Compare this with new U.S.A./Israel military deal just announced. Israel is to receive a military aid package of $38 billion over 10 years. To put this deal in context, this is the single largest pledge of military assistance in U.S. history. How about some honest reporting on the continued expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land and the military invasion and destruction of Palestinian villages.

The Women’s Boat to Gaza should be congratulated for its efforts to draw attention to the ongoing Israeli blockade. Palestinians should be able to move freely around their country, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The current blockade imposed by Israel has continued for ten years. The Women’s Boat is a non-violent, initiative in support of the Women of Gaza. They should be supported in their humanitarian endeavors. I wish them safe waters. Carmel Conway St. John’s