Louise Nousratpour
Friday March 13, 2009
The Morning Star
GAZAN human rights activist Mona El-Farra gave a heartbreaking account of the plight of her compatriots at a TUC women's conference meeting on Friday.
She reduced the audience to tears and even loud whimpering as she related stories about how she had witnessed mothers looking on in despair as their wounded child bled to death in their arms because the ambulance never arrived.
"I am a doctor and know that the Israeli military deliberately targets ambulances and hospitals, while checkpoints stop medical aid getting to those who need it," she said.
The recent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip resulted in the death of 1,440 people, including 430 children, with thousands more wounded, orphaned, homeless and psychologically damaged.
Ms El-Farra said that figures obtained before the attacks showed that 65 per cent of Gazan children are suffering from post-traumatic disorder.
"Unemployment is 60 per cent and 38 per cent of Palestinian women of childbearing age suffer from malnutrition disorders," she highlighted.
"This is not about Israel's security. This amounts to a war crime."
Ms El-Farra welcomed the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza as a "great initiative," but stressed that political solidarity was the most important tool of empowering Palestinians to fight for independence.
"Palestinians, especially women and children, may be victims but they refuse to be victimised," she proudly declared.
"Women in particular are organising in the community and fight the occupation while still managing to keep a smile on their face. Those I talk to say they want peace but not without justice."
Lawyer and co-ordinator for International Solidarity with Thompsons Solicitors Karen Mitchell pointed to a raft of international laws that have repeatedly been breached by Israel.
She concluded: "Israel is guilty of war crimes and must be brought to justice."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment