وثيقة - غزة : أسئلة وأجوبة
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
AI Index: MDE 15/006/2009
12 January 2009
Monday January 12 at 12pm Noon EST
Donatella Rovera is a researcher in the Middle East & North Africa Programme at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in London. She has worked on a number of countries for over 20 years, and is currently the researcher on Israel-OPT. She has an academic background in Political Science, Middle Eastern Politics & Economics and International Law. She has headed several AI missions to countries in the region during high-risk conflict situations.
Our
researcher Donatella Rovera is stationed now in southern Israel,
pushing to enter Gaza, monitoring the crisis from southern Israel,
and conducting first hand interviews with affected individuals and
organizations.
Read the questions Donatella answered below.
Featured Guest: Donatella Rovera
From our featured guest: "Take action today on Gaza at www.amnestyusa.org/ricegaza"
Moderator's comment:
Thanks Donatella for a very informative chat on this pressing
issue. We're sorry that because of the tremendous volume of
questions we were unable to get through them all. The chat has now
concluded. Be sure to take action today on Gaza at www.amnestyusa.org/ricegaza
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Question Submitted by Betty Kaiser:
The United States has never had an even handed policy in this
conflict between the Palestinians and the Israels. Woould it be a
good idea for the US to say to Isreal we will no longer provide the
billions of dollars and weapons that we currently give you until
you sit down with the Palestinians and seriously negoiate a
settlement of this matter. Until you do there will be no more
funds. Period.
Donatella Rovera answers:
AI is calling for an immediate, comprehensive arms embargo on all
parties.
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Question Submitted by Dena:
With the vast superiority of the Israeli army over Hamas small
capacity and inferior weaponry, shouldn't it be able to target the
persons responsible for firing the weapons without causing these
massive civilian injuries? Why won't it let in aid and answer
humanitarian organizations questions? Does the response justify the
threat? Please explain how this is possible.
Donatella Rovera answers:
Though by far inferior to Israel's sophisticated weaponry, the
crude Palestinian rockets nonetheless pose a threat to the lives of
the civilian population of southern Israel. These rockets are also
easy to move and to hide and hence difficult for the Israeli army
to find. However, this does not justify the often disproportionate
and indiscriminate Israeli attacks which have killed hundreds of
civilians; nor does it justify Israel denying passage of
humanitarian aid and basic necessities into Gaza.
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Question Submitted by James:
Israel is preventing journalists from entering Gaza, and just
recently the shelling of a UN humanitarian aid vehicle resulted in
the death of the driver and a UN suspension of aid operations. What
can be done to insure that Gaza is not cut off from the eyes of the
world, and from the humanitarian aid it most desperately needs?
Donatella Rovera answers:
More pressure is needed on Israel to give unfettered access to
Gaza, which they are obligated to do under international
humanitarian law. Egypt too should let humanitarian workers and
emergency assistance into Gaza.
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Question Submitted by John Fouere:
In view of the fact that Palestinian are merely exercising their
right, indeed obligation, to resist an illegal occupation of their
lands by Israel, why does your site message mention only Hamas as
an agressor. The Israeli attacks are hugely disproportionate, a
full scale bombardment of an essentially defenceless population by
a fully equipped modern army with tanks, artillery, bombers and
fighter planes and helicopters. Gazans have no where to flee to and
the Israelis make sure no one can leave. It is a massacre, why does
your site not be more objective???
Donatella Rovera answers:
AI has condemned both the blockade, which is a form of collective
punishment, and unlawful attacks by Israeli forces. By also
condemning violations by Hamas, we are not suggesting that the
number of victims on each side is the same, only that we are using
the standard of international law to judge the conduct of all
parties. We want the international community to ensure immediate,
unfettered access for humanitarian assistance, journalists and
human rights workers; a full, independent and impartial
investigation of violations by all sides; perpetrators to be
brought to justice in fair proceedings; an immediate arms embargo
on all parties; and international human rights monitors to be
dispatched.
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Question Submitted by elizabeth:
Hasn't Israel been bombarded with attacks for the past decade? Why
is the world turning to condemn Israel now? Who was sympathetic
when Israel was the victim? The Gaza Strip was given by Israel as a
peace offering, but peace was not maintained. Now that Israel is
finally standing up for itself, we tell it that it can't? What are
the two sides to the story?
Donatella Rovera answers:
There are indeed two sides involved in the human right abuse and
attacks have been carried out by both Israeli forces and
Palestinian armed groups over the past eight years. Since September
2000 Palestinian groups have killed some 1,100 Israelis and Israeli
forces have killed some 5, 500 Palestinians. In addition, in this
period Israeli forces also destroyed several thousands of
Palestinian homes throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories .
On both sides civilians have borne the brunt of the confrontations.
This is unacceptable and pressure must be exerted on both sides to
stop harming and endangering civilians.
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Question Submitted by Mary Ann:
I agree that war is not an answer and that Israel should not
prevent needed food and health materials into Gaza BUT what does
Israel do about Hamas -- this terrorist group which has said many
times that its goal is the destruction of Israel--Hamas which has
sent over 6000 rockets into southern Israel over the years--Hamas
which refuses to negotiate or recognize Israel--Hamas which has
done so much harm to the Palestinians. What is the solution if
Israel stops and Hamas does not stop sending rockets and continues
building tunnels and arming against Israel??? If you are not a part
of the solution--you are a part of the problem. Lets hear some
solutions in addition to Israel stopping the attacks. Mary Ann
Maikish mamaikish@yahoo.com
Donatella Rovera answers:
AI has condemned repeatedly for many years the firing of
indiscriminate rockets by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups
at civilian poputation centers in Israel . AI has also condemned
suicide bombings and other attacks on civilians by these groups as
crimes against humanity. We are calling for an arms embargo on all
parties.
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Question Submitted by Jeanette:
How can AI even ask the question whether or not US military
equipment was used in the killing of civilians. Also, your home
page announcing all of this certainly seemed to try to equalize
Hamas/IDF -- how can that be? First paragraph -- you never said
that the deaths were caused by the Israeli ASSAULT not only the
blockade.... Here is how to stop Hamas: END THE OCCUPATION!!
Donatella Rovera answers:
AI is calling for an immediate, comprehensive arms embargo, which
would cover all US military assistance and sales of arms and
military equipment to Israel. AI has condemned both the blockade,
which is a form of collective punishment, and unlawful attacks by
Israeli forces. By also condemning violations by Hamas, we are not
suggesting that the number of victims on each side is the same,
only that we are using the standard of international law to judge
the conduct of all parties.
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Question Submitted by Andy:
Hi, Donatella: I understand that you obviously work for AI but I'm
wondering if, as an individual, you ever find a certain tilt in
their position toward one side in the conflict over another. I
would like to think that Amnesty International does not "take
sides" but rather just responds to each individual situation. Yet
when I look at what they are asking, it seems that, not just in the
current conflict but pretty consistently, they have become
advocates for the Palestinians and opponents of Israel. I certainly
do not think the Israeli government is blameless but I also get the
strong sense that AI is pretty one-sided. Please be as candid as
possible in your response not just as an employee but as a
researcher.
Donatella Rovera answers:
AI's work is based on international law, a position which I share
entirely, and our demands are for all parties – Israeli and
Palestinian – to abide by international law. In many respects, AI's
concerns and demands are similar to those of Israeli and
international human rights organizations and UN agencies.
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Question Submitted by andy:
What are the Saudis and oil rich countries like Dubai doing to
ameliorate the economic and humanitarian crisis in Gaza? The root
of the problem is too many young men without jobs or a future. How
can they be employed and engaged in building a functioning
community in Gaza?
Donatella Rovera answers:
A crucial problem, which remains unresolved and which has in fact
significantly worsened in recent years, are the restrictions
imposed on the movement of people and goods into/out of the Gaza
Strip by Israel, which also controls Gaza's airspace and
territorial waters. A functioning economy requires freedom of
movement for people and goods, and this does not exist in Gaza. So
long as this remains the case Gaza's economy is unlikely to
develop.
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Question Submitted by Irwin:
AI proposes that the US desist from sending arms to Israel. An arms
embargo should be extended to all waring parties in the conflict
including an embargo of arms to Hamas and Islamic Jihad
Donatella Rovera answers:
Amnesty International does indeed call for an arms embargo on all
parties.
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Question Submitted by Terence:
The US media asserts that the most recent 6 month truce was, after
5 months, initially broken by Hamas on or about Nov 5 by the firing
of Kassam rockets into Israel. Is it not true however that Israel
in fact broke the truce the day before when they entered Gaza and
killed several Palastinian gunmen near a tunnel, thus ensuring a
knee jerk rocket barrage response from Hamas which was then used by
Israel as an excuse to launch the heightened blockade and the
carefully prepared gound and air war with its brutal
consequences?
Donatella Rovera answers:
There were violations of the truce by both sides. But neither side
should use violations by the other as an excuse to commit war
crimes and other serious violations.
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Question Submitted by Carol Higgs:
Why does the media (and even Amnesty) insist on treating Hamas and
Israel violence as equal?? Israel has killed hundres of civilians
with bombs and rockets including many children. Hamas sends a few
rockets and has killed 4. This is far from equal violence.
Donatella Rovera answers:
By condemning violations of international humanitarian law by all
sides, AI is not suggesting that the number of casualties is the
same. Our public statements and actions have been clear about the
numbers of civilians killed and injured in Gaza and inside
Israel.
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Question Submitted by Nilanjan:
Can Ehud Olmert, Ehud Barak and Tzipi Livni be held responsible for
war crimes?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Military commanders and civilian superiors can be held responsible
for the acts of their subordinates. Article 86 (2) of Protocol I,
which imposes a single standard for military commanders and
civilian superiors, reflects customary international law.
It states:
"The fact that a breach of the Conventions or of this Protocol was
committed by a subordinate does not absolve his superiors from
penal or disciplinary responsibility, as the case may be, if they
knew, or had information which should have enabled them to conclude
in the circumstances at the time, that he was committing or was
going to commit such a breach and if they did not take all feasible
measures within their power to prevent or repress the
breach."
Thus, in analyzing current events, it is important to examine the
chain of command, both with regard to members of government armed
forces and their civilian superiors and with regard to all levels
of Hamas.
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Question Submitted by Nydia:
Is there evidence that Israel is using White Phosphorus and weapons
with DIME (Dense Inert Metal Explosives)in Gaza? This was reported
on the Huffington Post yesterday (Jan.7th).
Donatella Rovera answers:
There is evidence that white phosphorous is being used by Israeli
force in Gaza, posing an additional risk to the civilian
population. We have not yet been able to confirm use of DIME.
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Question Submitted by Gisela:
Does the unfettered US support (both financial and military) of
Israel help or hinder the resolution of the conflict between
Palestine and Israel?
Donatella Rovera answers:
SEE EARLIER ANWSER URQUA
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Question Submitted by Ruth:
I would like to know why Amnesty International failed to raise
concern about the ongoing shelling of Israeli citizens from Gaza
over the past EIGHT years. These gross human rights violations are
only briefly appended to by Amnesty which continues to place the
blame solely on Israel for the ongoing tragedy. What should Israel
do to protect her citizens against these daily terrorist
attacks?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Far from placing the blame solely on Israel, Amnesty International
has for years condemned and campaigned against human rights abuses
committed by Palestinian armed groups , including notably suicide
bombing and rocket attacks.
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Question Submitted by Rachel:
Will you be going to Zeitoun to investigate the killing of upwards
of 60 people from the same family? Will you be investigating the
claim by Israel that Hamas fired mortars near the UN school where
40 civilians were killed?
Donatella Rovera answers:
If the Israeli authorities allow us access into Gaza we will
investigate as many cases as possible, including the ones you
mention.
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Question Submitted by Emily:
Looking at the history of this conflict, and the extreme animosity
between Palestinians and Israelis, do you believe that the
international community could have anticipated this? If, so, then
why weren't UN troops sent in much earlier to prevent the
initiation of the conflict?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Sending a UN peacekeeping (or peace enforcement) mission requires a
decision by the UN Security Council, and usually also the consent
of the concerned parties. There has not yet been agreement among
the states on the Security Council or from Israel on such a
measure.
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Question Submitted by Suha:
Is it possible to say that the tactics used by Israel--collective
punishment, lack of access to basic humanitarian aid and resources,
no media access in or outside of gaza consitutes a violation of
international law, specifically war crimes and possibly even acts
of genocide? What exactly would qualify this conflict as genocide
as defined by international law? And finally, has the US violated
in addition to international law, US law by selling military
hardware and other equipment used to commit human rights
violations? Thank you, thank you for being there.
Donatella Rovera answers:
Both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups are committing
violations of international humanitarian law and human rights
abuses , some of which constitute war crimes or crimes against
humanity. These violations include the firing of hundreds of
indiscriminate rockets by Palestinian armed groups, Israeli attacks
which target civilians or civilian objects, or which are
indiscriminate or disproportionate, and the denial of access to
humanitarian and medical assistance. Those who provide weapons and
other military equipment or assistance to the parties involved in
this conflict are not living up to their responsibility to ensure
that the weapons/military material is not used to violate human
rights that . Hence, Amnesty International is calling for a
comprehensive arms embargo on all parties to the conflict in Gaza
covering all conventional military and related equipment,
components, technology and services. The crime of genocide requires
"intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical,
racial or religious group." AI does not consider that the
violations in the Gaza conflict constitute genocide. However, war
crimes and crimes against humanity are among the gravest crimes
under international law.
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Question Submitted by Michele:
Donatella, If ever you succeed in entering the Gaza Strip, will you
be given the opportunity to talk to Hamas leaders ?
Donatella Rovera answers:
I do not know at this stage what we would be able to do if we are
able to enter the Gaza Strip. It is the policy of Amnesty
International to meet with all parties in order to raise our
concerns about the human rights abuse they commit. In this case, a
key concern we would want to raise with leader of Hamas and other
Palestinian armed groups relates specifically to the rocket attacks
launched from Gaza into towns and villages in southern
Israel--which Amnesty International condemns and campaigns
against.
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Question Submitted by Sally:
Now that the United Nations relief workers have pulled out of Gaza,
it is hard to imagine that the suffering of those living there
could get any worse but we all know it will. Are there groups on
the ground willing and able to do this work?
Donatella Rovera answers:
UN relief workers have not pulled out of Gaza; on the contrary,
they continue do deploy great efforts to bring assistance to the
needy, despite the operational difficulties resulting from the
conflict and the stringent restrictions imposed by the Israeli
authorities on the passage of goods
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Question Submitted by Art:
Don't you think that characterizing Israel's reaction as "a vastly
disproportionate response" exacerbates the problem? Hamas
intentionally targets civilians, Israel at least makes some effort
to avoid civilian casualties. Isn't Hamas' response
disproportionate? How would you want your government to deal with
an organization bent on YOUR destruction? The Jews are willing to
live in peace with the Arabs, but the Arabs (or at least the
officials they elect) are not willing to live in peace with the
Jews. What would you want your government to do?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Under international law , the firing of indiscriminate rockets by
Hamas and other Palestinian groups on Israeli towns and villages
are unlawful and must cease. And many – not all - of the Israeli
attacks are unlawful because they are disproportionate or
indiscriminate or because they target civilians or civilian
objects. International law applies to both sides and violations of
its provisions cannot be justified
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Question Submitted by Anita:
Many people call Israel's response "disproportionate." What is a
"proportionate" response to a terrorist group that deliberately
puts civilians at risk by hiding among them and shooting rockets at
other civilians?
Donatella Rovera answers:
A proportionate response is one which does not involve the
targeting of civilians or civilian objects, or reckless and/or
indiscriminate attacks which inevitably kill or harm civilian, or
other measures, such as the blockade on Gaza, which collectively
punish the civilian population. International humanitarian law
takes into account the legitimate military imperatives of warring
parties. There is no justification for perpetrating serious
violations of IHL.
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Question Submitted by Sue:
The US historically has provided Israel with significant monetary
support and military equipment, including the very bombs used to
attack Palestinians. Palestinians support Hamas largely due to the
social services it provides its desperate people. Would it help
resolve the conflict if the US were to become actively, visibly
involved in such support of Palestinians, including building
schools, infrastructure, etc? Would this real demonstration of
goodwill toward Palestinians lead to a new view of the US as an
honest broker with the Palestians' wellbeing truly a goal? Would
this measure reduce Hamas's favor among Palestinians?
Donatella Rovera answers:
The US administration provides more military aid to Israel than to
any other country in the region and also provides a significant
amount of aid to the Palestinian population. I cannot speculate
about the reasons why many Palestinians support Hamas. The US role
goes beyond the issue of aid, important though this is. In order to
be seen as an honest broker the US administration must promote a
solution to the conflict which is based on respect for
international human rights law and international humanitarian law
by all parties.
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Question Submitted by Stefano:
What can be done to prevent Hamas from firing at civilians? What
are the responsibilities of the warring parties in this conflict?
How can refugees be protected?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Surely we must be concerned with the protection of all civilians,
Israelis and Palestinians. Israel has a right to take lawful
measures against those who launch attacks on its civilian
populations but reckless and indiscriminate bombardments and other
attacks which have killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians
cannot be the answer. The Palestinian civilian population cannot be
punished for attacks for which they have no responsibility. The
international community must exert pressure on both sides to put an
end to attacks which harm civilians. Countries which have influence
on one side or the others must use that influence responsibly and
firmly to address the abuses being committed by both sides.
International law prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian
objects and attacks which are disproportionate and/or
indiscriminate and which endanger civilians. Israel, as the
occupying power, has additional responsibilities for the welfare of
the populations in Gaza, including an obligation to ensure
provision of adequate food and medicine. Both sides are violating
international law. Israel has been blocking the passage of
emergency humanitarian assistance for Palestinians and has attacked
medics and relief convoys. And Israeli forces have been carrying
out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks that have killed
hundreds of unarmed civilians. Hamas and other Palestinian armed
groups have been firing hundreds of indiscriminate rockets at
southern Israeli towns, killing three civilians. Those fleeing the
conflict must be protected but at present Palestinians are
prevented from leaving Gaza, and cannot find safety in Gaza. Even
those who have fled the fighting and taken refuge in UN schools
have come under attack from Israeli forces. More than 40
Palestinians were killed in a single attack by Israeli forces on a
UN school on 6 January. Israeli officials initially claimed that
Palestinian gunmen had fired from the school but have now admitted
that this was not true.
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Question Submitted by Raymond:
What country is the source of the rockets being used by the
Palestian terrorists.
Donatella Rovera answers:
ANSWERED IN PREVIOUS QUESTION
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Question Submitted by Bill:
I have found it difficult to get either the U.S. Speaker of the
House or my Congressman to respond to the carnage regarding this
conflict. Do you happen to know how much funding the U.S. provides
to Israel for military support?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Israel is the largest recipient of US military aid in the region.
The US government has a responsibility to ensure that its military
aid and funding is not used to commit human right abuses.
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Question Submitted by Heather:
I'm shocked by the humanitarian crisis that Israel's attacks are
producing and would like hear more about what can be done to aid
the Gazans. But I'd also like to know what Israel expects to
accomplish with this assault. What will make them halt the
operation?
Donatella Rovera answers:
First and foremost it is necessary to stop the killings of
civilians who have nothing to do with the conflict but are bearing
the brunt of it. This requires pressure on both sides to stop
killings and attacks on civilians. An end to impunity for years of
serious violations and abuses by all sides – in other words,
bringing perpetrators to justice in fair proceedings, is a key
element in preventing future violations. The current deprivation of
basic necessities for the civilian population in Gaza is not so
much due to lack of resources but rather to the restrictions
imposed by Israel on the passage of humanitarian aid and other
supplies into Gaza, and by the fighting inside Gaza, which render
distribution difficult in general and impossible in many areas. The
destruction of homes, property and infrastructure being wrought
onto Gaza by the Israeli bombardments is on a massive scale and
considerable resource will be needed once the fighting stops for
the reconstruction. Those resources are not available in Gaza and
will likely have to be made available by the international
community.
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Question Submitted by Sebastian:
Why Amnesty is calling the Israel response disproportionate? After
Israel withdrew from Gaza Hamas took an opportunity to arm
themselves and create a base to launch over 3 thousands Qammas
rockets over Israeli cities (even during a truce). Israel waited
too long to react, what would be an adequate response against
terrorism? How can Israel provide security to its citizens?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Under IHL, an attack is disproportionate if it may be expected to
cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage
to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, which would be
excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage
anticipated. Many of the attacks by Israeli forces match this
definition. Some attacks which purportedly aimed to kill a member
of Hamas or destroy ammunition have killed and injured many unarmed
civilians; some of these could have been carried out in a way that
was less likely to harm civilians and civilian objects. Other
attacks have deliberately targeted civilians or civilian buildings,
There have also been attacks against medical and relief personnel
and facilities.
So far, the attacks by Israeli have resulted in the killing of
hundreds of civilian bystanders, including more than 150 children,
and the injury of many more civilians. Israeli forces can take
lawful measures against Palestinians who are responsible for
attacks against Israelis but must not punish those who have no part
in the conflict. Ensuring the security of Israeli citizens does not
require killing hundreds of unarmed civilians, bombarding a UN
school full of civilians, medical personnel and ambulances in the
process of evacuating the wounded, relief workers and convoys. Nor
is it necessary for Israel's security to deny entry to the Gaza
Strip to baby food and nappies, children's shoes and clothes,
hearing aid batteries and embroidery thread for deaf children, or
spare parts for hospital equipment, drinking water wells and the
sewage treatment plant.
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Question Submitted by Zawdie:
Hello, Ms. Rovera: Please confirm for me the suspicion that I have
that the Israeli total embargo on the movement of goods into and
out of Gaza began during the last months of the cease-fire
agreement that began in June of 2008. Also, are any figures on the
number of Gazans who were dying per day under the embargo vs the
numbers per day after the recent Israeli bombings?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza
have been imposed by the Israeli army several years ago and were
significantly increased in recent years, notably after certain
incidents. These include the capture by Hamas and other Palestinian
armed groups of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, from a military
base on the Israeli side of the Gaza-Israel border in June 2006;
and the take-over in Gaza by Hamas in June 2007. The six-month
ceasefire which came into force on 19 June 2008 brought little
improvement to the lives of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip as
the stringent restrictions on their movement and on the entry of
goods into Gaza remained in place. Several patients who were in
urgent need of medical treatment not available in Gaza's hospitals
died after being refused passage out of Gaza by the Israeli army,
hundreds of students lost their places in universities abroad
because they could not leave Gaza, and the inhabitant of Gaza
continued to suffer from shortages of most basic necessities and
were forced to rely on goods smuggled into Gaza from Egypt via the
tunnels. As for the number of Palestinian killed in Israeli
bombardments and artillery and other attacks, it increases daily.
Since 27 December 2008, more that 800 have been killed, more than a
third of whom are unarmed civilians.
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Question Submitted by Lauryn:
How do you propose Hamas can be convinced to stop the rocket
attacks right away so that Israel will also call a cease fire? How
will middle east and international governments and organizations
work to ensure that Hamas's glorifying of death and the murder of
civilians will not continue to influence Palestinians, and that
monetary and humanitarian aid is actually used for the benefit of
the benefit of the Palestinian people, instead of for weapons
stockpiling and rewarding families of suicide bombers?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Rocket attacks against towns and villages in south Israel are
launched by all Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, including the
armed wing of Fatah, President Mahmoud Abbas' party (the al-Aqsa
Martyrs' Brigade). Both the Israeli and Palestinian sides justify
their own human rights abuses and crimes by arguing that their
attacks are in response to the abuses committed by the other side.
In order to put an end to this cycle of attacks and counter attacks
it is imperative to put pressure on both sides. Double-standard
approaches involving condemnation of the abuses by one side while
turning a blind eye to the abuse by the other side are easily
dismissed as biased and cannot be effective. Key international
players who fail to fail to take a principled position against
human rights abuse when these are committed by Israel undermine
their chances of convincing those who have influence on Hamas and
other Palestinian armed groups to pressure them to stop their
attacks
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Question Submitted by gail:
you do not call for the cessation of arms from Iran. Is it because
you don't believe they are involved or as culpable as the US or is
it because the Iranian government could care less what you or
anyone else thinks?
Donatella Rovera answers:
Amnesty International is calling for a comprehensive arms embargo
covering all conventional military and related equipment,
components, technology and services on ALL parties to the conflict
in Gaza. This obviously includes Hamas and the other Palestinian
armed groups and concerns any party which supplies or facilitates
and/or allows the transit and/or passage of such material.
Therefore if Iran is involved in any way in providing such material
or funds for it, this applies equally to Iran.
As well, since most if not all the supplies of such material to
Hamas and the other Palestinian groups reach Gaza via Egypt, the
Egyptian authorities must take concrete measures to stop and
prevent the passage of such material into Gaza.
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Moderator's comment:
Thanks Donatella for a very informative chat on this pressing
issue. We're sorry that because of the tremendous volume of
questions we were unable to get through them all. The chat has now
concluded.
TAKE ACTION on Gaza at www.amnestyusa.org/ricegaza