Things are bad if the ICRC speaks out

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted a rare public statement from the famously neutral International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). As international donors prepare to meet in Paris on Monday, they echo the IRC's concerns. Read Donald MacIntrye's account in London's The Independent here. A summary:

On Thursday the Red Cross urged Israel to alleviate a "deep human crisis" by easing restrictions on Palestinian movement. The appeal came ahead of an international donors' conference co-chaired by Tony Blair. The World Bank and the Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad warned that the $5.6bn (£2.7bn) they hope will be pledged in Paris "will not reverse the collapse of the Palestinian economy, unless there is a significant reduction in checkpoints and closures."

The ICRC said Israel's "harsh security measures" came at an "enormous humanitarian cost," with the "dignity of the Palestinians being trampled underfoot day after day, both in the West Bank and Gaza." The agency said "retaliatory" closures of Gaza since Hamas seized control in June have resulted in 823 sick people being prevented from leaving for urgent medical care. Deaths occurred in three of these cases - despite the ICRC's direct intervention - because of Israeli "administrative and security clearance delays." The Red Cross said Israel has the right to protect its population, but "the balance between [its] legitimate security concerns and the right of the Palestinian people to live a normal life has not been struck."

Among other punitive measures the Israelis have imposed, Palestinian students with scholarships or fellowships to study abroad have been prevented from leaving Gaza. American diplomats have directly intervened, to no avail.

Comments

[Colette]

Tara -- you know what I think about all this. So I just want to thank you. THANK YOU. xoxo

[Gimme A Dream]

I had no idea that it was still so bad along the Gaza strip. It is my wish that tensions ease for Christmas and the year to come.

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

So glad I stopped by to read your latest posts, Tara. This discussion is an eye-opener. Thanks so much for your insights and your passion for such a critical cause. K.

[tinker]

I don't even want to try to imagine what it must be like to live in a part of the world that is so turbulent - especially for the children there. I pray for peace - or some semblance of it, at least.

[robyn]

Tara, I couldn't read the independent when I clcked on the link, what you've written is very interesting! thanks~ Robyn

[pepekltheassassin]

PS Thank you for the wonderful pictures and poetry from "The Moment" on--I will return to look at them over again when I have more time! I didn't get anything up for WI last time, but will try to do better next time....Have a good Christmas!

[pepekltheassassin]

"They" never see the big picture of humanity. "They" wear blinders of complacence and convenience, like the old horses, in fear of seeing something that might disturb their priorities. So what if it's almost the same as being blind?

[Gillian @ Indigo Blue]

Tara~
Your message of tolerance in your response to J.J. is right on.
That is the key right there. Live and let live.
xo
Gillian

[Tammy]

I have a feeling this will fall on deaf ears. Do they not see the big picture of humanity?

HUGS

[rochambeau]

I read your words and Di's words too since Dorian agreed with her. I need to learn more. Thank you Tara for bringing this to our attention. You have a special antenna for these matters. Your awareness and boldness to speak your mind concisely is appreciated by me. Thank you.

xox
Constance

Tara,
Hope your having fun with Jordana. That you are wrapped in the holiday spirit.
I'm having a problem retrieving my email, except for spam. ;-(
I'm going to post about it later so others will know and not think I'm not returning mail.
Here's my Mom's email: loismuller@sbcglobal.net.
xox

[Dorian Fletcher]

I agree with Ms. Overton re: oppressed becoming the oppressors. You would think that mankind has come far enough along to have matured beyond hatred and revenge. I guess not.

[J.J. Surbeck]

No, what this shows clearly is that the ICRC has abandoned any pretense of being "famously neutral" at all. It stopped being neutral a very long time ago, choosing its target very carefully among governments that won't retaliate immediately on its staff and activities. Thus, Israel and the US are regularly excoriated for minor offenses, while China doesn't even get a slap on the wrist after murdering more than 2 million Tibetans, the Sudanese merrily slaughter half a million Darfuris, the Moroccans kill thousands of fellow Muslim Saharaouis, et, etc. On the lopsided scale of values that has now become the ICRC's norm, standing for a few hours in the sun or not being allowed to pursue one's studies is a more tragic fate than being slaughtered. And let's not even mention the fact that not one word is said of why the Palestinians in Gaza live in this gigantic prison of their own making: Hamas and nonstop attacks on Israel. They should consider themselves lucky Israel hasn't obliterated them as any other country defending itself would have. In short, the ICR has joined the collective dance of applying double standards, which invalidates anything else it says from now on.

Tara responds:
If Israel hadn't built the so-called "security fence" around Gaza, this wouldn't be an issue. The bad behaviour of a few members of Hamas or any other group should not result in collective punishment for the entire population of Gaza. The ICRC is not complaining about people standing in line for hours - this is common Israeli practice, which has been going on at Israeli checkpoints since 1948. Any one who's ever crossed a border into Israel has been subjected to such treatment. The ICRC is referring to a much more serious issue - the fact that three deaths resulted because Israel would not open the border crossing for emergency medical treatment. And many many more await medical care, not to mention adequate food and basic human rights. You are making light of very critical issues involving the population of Gaza. And your call for the annihilation of Palestinians simply because of the actions of a few radicals, is outrageous, irresponsible and inflammatory. As for the other issues involving the ICRC and various conflicts around the globe, I will not address those here. It's hard to get past your call for wiping out a group of people. Have you ever been to the Middle East and witnessed firsthand what it is like for both sides? Living in the world today, tolerance is required. Otherwise, both sides will destroy each other. Is that what you'd prefer?

[Di Overton]

Let's hope Tony Blair's ego wants another peace agreement under his belt, he managed it in Northern Ireland (with the help of Mo Mowlem). I have said it before and I'll say it again - Why do the oppressed become the oppressors?