[R-G] Israeli policies condemned

[Anthony Fenton]

Dec 10, 2008
Israeli policies condemned
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_312662.html

GENEVA - THE UN expert on human rights in the Palestinian territories  
said on Tuesday Israel's policies against their people amounted to a  
'crime against humanity.'

In a statement, Richard Falk called on the United Nations to make an  
'urgent effort' to 'implement the agreed norm of a responsibility to  
protect' a civilian population being collectively punished by policies  
that amount to a Crime Against Humanity.'

He went on: 'In a similar vein, it would seem mandatory for the  
International Criminal Court to investigate the situation, and  
determine whether the Israeli civilian leaders and military commanders  
responsible for the Gaza siege should be indicted and prosecuted for  
violations of international criminal law.'

Mr Falk said that 'such a flurry of denunciations by normally cautious  
UN officials has not occurred on a global level since the heyday of  
South African apartheid', continuing: 'And still Israel maintains its  
Gaza siege in its full fury, allowing only barely enough food and fuel  
to enter to stave off mass famine and disease.'

Israel allowed dozens of trucks filled with humanitarian supplies into  
the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the fifth such shipment permitted to enter  
the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory in the past month.

The military also allowed in diesel fuel for Gaza's sole power plant  
and for the UN refugee agency, which provides aid to hundreds of  
thousands of Gazans.

Israel has sealed off the territory from all but limited aid since the  
Islamist Hamas movement - which is pledged to the destruction of the  
Jewish state - seized power in Gaza in June 2007.

Israel also opened Gaza to foreign journalists for the second time in  
a month.

After a surge in violence on Nov 4, Israel tightened the blockade and  
has said it can not open the crossings because of the danger to its  
staff at the terminals from mortar and rocket fire by Gaza militants.  
-- AFP