The Elders: Shame on the world to accept the continuation of Gaza siege

[ 16/10/2010 - 05:00 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- The delegation of the "Global Elders" told a press conference in Gaza on Saturday that accepting the continuation of the five-year Israeli siege on Gaza Strip after the war on Gaza in late 2008 and early 2009 was a "shame on the world".

Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland and chairwoman of the delegation, said it was not acceptable that after this destruction because of the war no reconstruction is possible.

"We stand alongside the Palestinian people in Gaza and we will not leave you alone, we understand your suffering and needs," she said addressing the Palestinian population in the Strip.

The ex-president said that the (Israeli) settlement activity was wiping out the hopes of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Robinson said that Hamas should not be excluded from the political process.

For his part, Lakhdar Al-Ibrahim, former Algerian foreign minister and member of the delegation, urged the Palestinians to unite and to shun division, describing such a step as an "urgent necessity".

"What we heard from our brothers in Hamas about the reconciliation was encouraging and we hope that it would take place in the near future," he added.

Elders Visit Gaza to Press for Easing of Israeli Blockade

16/10/2010 A delegation from the Elders group of retired prominent world figures was in the Gaza Strip on Saturday to press for the easing of Israeli restrictions on the besieged strip.

Former Irish president and UN high commissioner for human rights Mary Robinson, Indian women's rights campaigner Ela Bhatt and former Algerian foreign minister and UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi entered Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing, an AFP correspondent said.

"The aim of their visit is to draw attention to the ongoing impact of the Gaza's isolation and to call for the immediate lifting of the blockade," the Elders said in a statement.

The delegation was to meet officials of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), local authorities, businessmen and human rights activists.

Ahead of their visit, the Elders met Arab League chief Amr Mussa in Cairo on Friday evening as they began their Middle East tour. The delegation, which is to be joined by former US president Jimmy Carter in Cairo on Sunday, is also to visit Syria, Jordan, occupied Palestinian territories and the West Bank.

"The aim of their visit is to encourage support across the region for the current final status negotiations," an Elders statement said.

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