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Philly Activists Urge Israel to End Gaza Siege, Cite Humanitarian Crisis
by
Al Nakba Committee | 02.01.2008
At noon last Saturday, January 26th, at least a hundred Philadelphians marched through Center City, from 5th and Market to the Israeli Consulate at 15th and Locust, urging Israel to lift its blockade of the Palestinian Gaza Strip and to allow a waiting convoy of much-needed relief supplies into the territory. The march, organized by a coalition of local Jewish and secular Israel/Palestine peace and justice organizations, highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where most Gazans have lived without clean water, adequate food, fuel, and medical supplies, and electricity for the past seven months. "We've got more up our sleeves for this spring" said Candace Saunders of Philly SUSTAIN (Stop US Tax Aid to Israel Now), "We're proud to unveil sixty days of action from March 16th to May 15th, to remember the sixtieth anniversary of resistance to the occupation of Palestine.”  Marchers on Market Street At noon last Saturday, January 26th, at least a hundred Philadelphians marched through Center City, from 5th and Market to the Israeli Consulate at 15th and Locust, urging Israel to lift its blockade of the Palestinian Gaza Strip and to allow a waiting convoy of much-needed relief supplies into the territory. The march, organized by a coalition of local Jewish and secular Israel/Palestine peace and justice organizations, highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where most Gazans have lived without clean water, adequate food, fuel, and medical supplies, and electricity for the past seven months. The convoy was officially denied entrance to Gaza by Israeli authorities despite international protest and pressure on both sides of the Gaza/Israel Erez border crossing. The convoy goods, vital humanitarian supplies including water filters, are currently warehoused and awaiting military clearance. The water of Gaza is an undrinkable cocktail of brine, sewage, pesticides and oil, with high levels of nitrates and bacteria. Activists insist that Israel’s denial of water filters to Gazans is an unacceptable violation of basic human needs and constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law. Speakers at the Philadelphia march made connections between the US’s financial support for Israel and the “War on Terror” and the overwhelming lack of adequate funding for healthcare, education, and other social infrastructure at home in the US. Chants of “Money for jobs and education/Not for wars and occupation!” burst from the crowd, echoing off the tall buildings of Center City. "The United States sends billions of our tax dollars to Israel as military aid each year, but I have to worry about whether I can pay my medical bills" lamented activist Jim Kennedy-Hennessey, a Temple student and native of Upper Darby. The march is only the first of a number of Palestine solidarity actions and events coming to Philadelphia in the next few months. "We've got more up our sleeves for this spring" said Candace Saunders of Philly SUSTAIN (Stop US Tax Aid to Israel Now), "We're proud to unveil sixty days of action from March 16th to May 15th, to remember the sixtieth anniversary of resistance to the occupation of Palestine.” For more information or to get involved with the 60 Days of Action commemorating Al Nakba, contact Al Nakba Committee at alnakbacommittee@yahoo.com or call 215-294-6239. Philadelphia area sponsors and endorsers included Bubbes & Zaydes (Grandparents) for Peace in the Middle East; Jewish Voices for Peace, Philadelphia; Philadelphia al Nakba Committee; SUSTAIN; Philadelphia Anti-War Forum; Philadelphia International Action Center; Temple Students for Justice in Palestine, Larry Davidson (professor, Westchester University); Brandywine Peace Community; University of Pennsylvania Students for Justice in Palestine; Steamboat Project, Anti-Racist Action, and more.…. |
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Comentarios
Great photos, great organizing!
Submitted by ST (no verificado) on Sáb, 02/02/2008 - 5:11amThis kind of organizing exemplifies the kind of coalition-building we need to get this message across. Thank you.
Great article
Submitted by Hans (no verificado) on Vie, 02/01/2008 - 10:19pmBest of luck with your upcoming events!
Hope you like the photo I took a few years back.
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