About this Petition:

1.5 million Palestinians, the entire population of Gaza, is trapped and being punished for the actions of armed Palestinian groups responsible for rocket fire into southern Israel; this is collective punishment and prohibited under international law. Over 80% depend on food aid. The severity of the situation has increased dramatically since Israel imposed extreme restrictions on the movement of goods and people in response to the Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007, indiscriminate rocket… (read more)

1.5 million Palestinians, the entire population of Gaza, is trapped and being punished for the actions of armed Palestinian groups responsible for rocket fire into southern Israel; this is collective punishment and prohibited under international law. Over 80% depend on food aid. The severity of the situation has increased dramatically since Israel imposed extreme restrictions on the movement of goods and people in response to the Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007, indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israel and the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Israel has the right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks against its civilian population, but the current policy fails to provide Israel with increased security and has only led to increasing polarization, further conflict and the suffering of thousands of innocent people. (show less)

The Desired Outcome of this Petition:

The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can also be reversed. We call on you to urge the Israeli government to
-- immediately lift the blockade
-- allow unhindered passage into Gaza of sufficient quantities of fuel, electricity, building supplies and other necessities
-- allow those who want to leave Gaza to do so, notably patients in need of medical treatment not available in Gaza and to allow them to return to Gaza after

The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can also be reversed. We call on you to urge the Israeli government to
-- immediately lift the blockade
-- allow unhindered passage into Gaza of sufficient quantities of fuel, electricity, building supplies and other necessities
-- allow those who want to leave Gaza to do so, notably patients in need of medical treatment not available in Gaza and to allow them to return to Gaza after (show less)