[van-announce] Break the Siege on Gaza! Picket and Rally

[Martha Roberts]

 *** please forward ***
**
*Picket and Rally*

*BREAK THE SIEGE ON GAZA!*

Wednesday, January 30, 4 PM

Picket outside the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver (1075 W. Pender)



*War and Occupation are a Health Crisis*



The Israeli occupation is a health crisis for Palestinians. In particular,
the total siege by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza effectively detains
Palestinian men, women and children in what amounts to a giant open air
prison, creating a mounting health emergency by denying even the basic
necessities of life.   In addition to the Israeli-created public health
crisis, Palestinians face arbitrary and criminal military violence from the
Israeli occupiers.



The conditions in Gaza demonstrate clearly the criminal nature of the
Israeli occupation:



   - Ongoing killings, assassinations and air attacks by Israeli
   occupation forces; already in January, 2008, Israeli occupying forces in
   Gaza have killed 26 Palestinians, including children and women, and wounded
   44 others. This death toll does not include the countless others whose
   physical and mental health hangs in the balance of the siege.



   - Tens of thousands are denied access to safe water and sanitation as
   raw sewage runs through the streets.  General scarcity of food, clean
   water, and fuel, resulting in malnutrition, disease are a public health
   clamity. Gaza is on the verge of a humanitarian, health and environmental
   crisis, threatening the lives of 1.5 million civilians.



   - Surgical operations and medical aid are suspended at hospitals due
   to lack of power and supplies, leaving patients languishing in need of
   medical attention. Furthermore, medical personal are unable to reach people
   due to the siege conditions.



   - Blockade of supplies for UN Relief and Works Agency which supplies
   over 900,000 Palestinians in refugee camp; humanitarian aid is suspended in
   a region where 85% of the Palestinian population depends upon humanitarian
   aid their basic needs for survival.



The U.S. and Canadian governments share culpability for this disaster as
they continue to support the Israeli occupation.   The U.S.A. provides
billions of dollars in aid to Israel annually, much of it military
aid.   Meanwhile
the Canadian government has over the last several years shifted to a
position of essentially unconditional support for Israel at the U.N. and was
the first government to cut humanitarian aid to Palestinians following their
democratic election in 2006, punishment for not voting for the 'correct'
representatives.



Peace, justice and health for Palestinians are impossible under conditions
of occupation and siege. We must speak out! We must ACT NOW to break the
siege and end the occupation.



*Break the Siege on Gaza!*

*Canada – U.S. stop supporting Israeli war crimes!*

*End the Israeli Occupation! Free Palestine!*



Organized by the *Health Now! Campaign*, Alliance for Peoples Health, Al
Awda – Palestinian Right of Return Coalition, International League of
Peoples Struggles participating organizations in Vancouver (BC Committee for
Human Rights in the Philippines, Grassroots Women, Ugnayan Ng Kabataang
Pilipino Sa Canada/Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance, SIKLAB, Bus Riders
Union, Filipino Nurses Support Group), Free Ahmed Sa'adat Campaign.



*Contact: allianceforpeopleshealth at gmail.com*





-- 
Martha Roberts, Registered Midwife
Locum: South Community Birth Program
www.scbp.ca