Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:35:02
Yousef Al-Helou, Press TV, Gaza
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1. Walls Triumph Over Bridges...Conference on Siege is a Victim of Siege
Source: Free Gaza
Press Release: October 20, 2008
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
Walls triumph over bridges…conference on siege is a victim of siege
In a shocking turn, the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme found their International Conference, "Siege and Mental Health… Walls vs. Bridges" under siege. The conference was scheduled to be held on 27-28 October in the Gaza strip. However, following one year of planning and preparation, the academic conference has been disrupted by the Israeli Authorities decision to deny admittance to the international conference participants, only two weeks prior the conference. What better irony to highlight the effects of the siege?
The conference has been organized to serve as a forum for professional discussion and scientific exchange concerning the impact of the Gaza siege on children, families, and communities and peace-making efforts. The plan is to gather top researchers and academics from around the world to build bridges for dialogue, mutual acknowledgment, and peace. Some 120 participants from universities around the world were scheduled to attend. 25 of them are presenting papers and original research. The main themes of the conference are addressing professional, mental health and human rights matters.
If Israel imposes strict siege on the whole population of Gaza strip for "security reason", as claimed, we wonder, how could such a conference constitute a threat to the Israeli security.
These actions represent a profound blow to the rights of academic freedom, free speech, education, and cultural dialogue"
We view this action as an action to block communication, distort the platform for mutual acknowledgment, understanding, and admitting the suffering of others.
Once again, and unlike what is claimed, Israel - as an occupying power- is proving that it is controlling the Gaza Strip, preventing people from entry or exit.
Despite all the challenges, we are determined that the conference will go ahead. We plan that the internationals will participate in Ramallah with a video link to Gaza for the local participants who are prevented by the Israelis from leaving.
We affirm that, If Israel can impose siege on our bodies, they cannot besiege our minds and interaction with the outside world. Despite the unjust decision, we have the determination to continue with the conference as planned. We aim to be able to achieve goals of the conference as well as raising awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of siege on the civilian population of Gaza .
We demand the Israeli authorities to change their decision and allow conference participants to enter Gaza.
Finally, we urge our participants, friends, solidarity groups, human rights organizations, and mental health communities, to protest against this decision, denounce it, and expose the ongoing Israeli policies and violations of human rights.
2. Breaking Siege Tourch from Gazan Children to the World
PCAS: www.freegaza.ps/english
Action Alert: Breaking Siege torch from Gazan Children to the world
Mobilize your voice from 23rd October to 30 November 2008
Gaza Children kindled the torch of "Breaking Siege" on the 23rd of October 2008. They were pushed by deprivation, death and poverty. They have used all ways to break the siege but in vain. Therefore, they send a message for the people around the world just to make an action in their places. All the need a voice says "No for Siege"
Gaza Torch: http://www.freegaza.ps/english/index.php?scid=100&id=507&extra=news&type=40
Many actions are in the way to support Gaza so be with us. If you are a person who can help then contact us on below info. If you can't help us pass this email to whom it may concern!
Will you support them and save Gaza? If not Gaza's facts will go deeper than the info below!
In Gaza, Palestinian people are subjected to medieval siege and forgotten by the international community. The borders are still closed and only a flow of supplies enter in Gaza, determined by the Zionist occupier, Israel.
-Around 80% of Gaza populations live under poverty line.
- 1.100.000 peoples depend on humanitarian aids provided by UNRWA, Arab, Islamic and foreign organizations.
-Unemployment ratio reached 65%
- 60% of Gaza's children suffer from Malnutrition.
-About 97% of factories and workshops stopped working, specifically 3900 factories. The industrial zone of Gaza is completely closed.
- Individual income 650$ per year and 2 $ a day..
-Freedom of movement from Gaza to the West bank, Jerusalem and outside world is being blocked.
- Around 260 people died due to blocking them from either travel for treatment or lack of medicines.
- Nearing to 40% of siege victims are from children.
- About 150 of medicines sorts are not available in Gaza.
- The only medical factory is halted due to shortage of raw materials.
- Projects of constructing and developing hospitals, clinics and educational bodies are being suspended!
- There are still daily power cuts
We ask you to support the resistance of the people by mobilizing against Gaza Siege and Israeli occupation which kill gradually people. We call on whoever still believes in justice, humanity, liberation, and resistance against tyranny to stand with us and:
Ask an immediate end of the Gaza Siege
Expose Israeli occupation, apartheid, and colonialism
Reach out to your media!
Reach out to your political representatives!
Stop support Israeli apartheid!
--Popular Committee Against Siege(PCAS),
PCAS Manager,
Sam AKi
Gaza - Palestine
Website: http://www.freegaza.ps/english
Videos: http://freegaza.blogspot.com/
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