AIC Testifies to UN Fact Finding Commission on Gaza Conflict: “Israeli Business Interests Determine Diet of Palestinians Under Siege in Gaza” July 5, 2009
The Alternative Information Center (AIC)
“The world should be aware of the human implications of Israel’s policy
of ‘no development, no prosperity’ in the Gaza Strip,” noted AIC economist
Shir Hever, as he testified today (2 July 2009) in Amman before the United
Nations Fact Finding Commission on the Gaza Conflict.
The AIC was invited to testify before this important body following intensive work in gathering and publishing primary information and analyses during Israel’s recent military attacks on the Gaza Strip. In addition to today’s personal testimony, the AIC submitted two documents to the UN Fact Finding Commission: a collection of AIC original articles focusing on the political, social and legal developments in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Israel and the Gaza Strip during the Israeli attacks on the latter, with an emphasis on Israeli oppression of popular protests against the military attacks, particularly by Palestinian citizens and residents of Israel; restrictions on reporting from and about the Gaza Strip; and reviews of the economic, social and legal aspects of the attacks.
The AIC further submitted an advance copy of its economic research entitled Operation Cast Lead: Israel Attacks the Gaza Strip. This research, which will be available in August 2009, provides a general overview of the events of the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, with an emphasis on the socio-political context and the events that preceded it. It explores various economic aspects of the attack, and concludes with possible effects that this will have on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
“Israeli public opinion was shockingly tolerant of Israeli war crimes and the violation of basic rights during this time, even against those in Israel,” remarks AIC Policy Director Nassar Ibrahim. “This is primarily because the international community failed to set clear boundaries during Israel’s recent military attacks on the Gaza Strip.”
Israel refuses to cooperate with this UN Fact Finding Mission, established in April 2009 by the UN Human Rights Council and is not permitting access to areas under its control, thus rendering implementation of the Missionís already challenging mandate that much more difficult. Mission members are accordingly unable to gain first-hand evidence and impressions of rights issues related to Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Israeli damage to property and human lives in the Gaza Strip did not end with “Operation Cast Lead” and continues to this day through the ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip.
LINK: http://www.alternativenews.org/english/1989-aic-testifies-to-un-fact-finding-commission-on-gaza-conflict-israeli-business-interests-determine-diet-of-palestinians-under-siege-in-gaza.html
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