The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is worsening daily. Despite its evacuation of 7000 illegal settlers, Israel still controls Gaza’s airspace, territorial waters, population registry, tax system, supply of goods, freedom of movement, and access to urgent care. Gaza is currently under almost total closure, and has become a prison for its 1.5 million residents, half of whom are children and youth. Electricity has been all but shut off, water resources have been fouled, children and old people are denied basic necessities, and families have been driven to the edge of starvation.

We sympathize with Sderot’s residents and others living near the border who are exposed to traumatizing and deadly Qassam rockets launched by militants inside Gaza. These attacks must stop. But siege and collective punishment of the entire population are not the answer: not only are such drastic and inhumane measures illegal under international law, they have increased hostility among the civilian population and desire for revenge among the militant.
We appeal to US politicians and civil society, regardless of their political positions on the conflict, to exert all possible influence to alleviate this crisis out of humanitarian concern for the innocent on both sides. The children of Gaza do not launch rockets; the children of Sderot do not starve Gaza. Israeli and Palestinian peace groups agree: there is a peaceful alternative. Normalization of civilian life, negotiations that include all parties, and the serious consideration of ceasefire offers that have been made by both sides will ease the crisis.

The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) welcomes efforts by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR) to call for a ceasefire by all parties and an end to the blockade and siege of Gaza to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. ICPJ calls upon all parties to work toward an immediate ceasefire, stopping the siege, ending the occupation, and resuming negotiations to work for a just peace in Israel and Palestine.

We appeal to people of faith on all sides of the conflict to put pressure on their leaders to work toward a peace that respects the dignity of all.

February 2008

Adapted from Helen Fox’s Gaza Statement by the Common Ground for Peace in Israel and Palestine Working Group, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice