Amnesty branch calls for action on Gaza from MPs Dollimore and Mullan

The recent killing of Palestinian paramedics and the dire state of the Palestinian population under assault by Israeli armed forces has prompted Amnesty International’s Bexhill & Hastings branch to call on the local MPs to intervene with the government. Nick Terdre reports.

In a letter to Hastings & Rye MP Helena Dollimore and Bexhill & Battle MP Kieran Mullan, the Bexhill & Hastings branch of Amnesty International express their concern at “the recent killings of Palestinian medics and rescue workers by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).”

Those killed included eight Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) health workers, one UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) staff member and six members of the Palestinian Civil Defence who went to southern Gaza for a rescue operation and were all shot dead after the IDF opened fire on their vehicles.

“These paramedics and rescue workers put their lives on the line day after day, braving bombs and bullets while working in harrowing conditions to save lives. The fact that they were killed while attempting to rescue people is deeply distressing and an absolute tragedy. Medical personnel fulfilling their humanitarian duties must be respected and protected. Deliberate attacks on medics and humanitarian workers are prohibited by international law and constitute war crimes,” the letter continues.

It described the changing justification for the killings given by the IDF: “At first the IDF stated that its troops opened fire on vehicles it deemed ‘suspicious,’ acknowledging that they had shot at Palestinian ambulances and fire trucks. Israeli forces had been in complete control of the area at the time. The IDF has since admitted that they were killed due to an ‘administrative error.’”

Entry into Gaza denied

The letter points out that Israel continues to deny entry into Gaza for journalists, forensic experts, and independent investigators, including those from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and international human rights organisations.  “The Israeli authorities must not be permitted to obstruct investigations into atrocity crimes, defying the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice.”

The letter, dated 3 May, also raises the plight of the Palestinian population in view of the Israeli refusal to allow food and other supplies into Gaza. “No humanitarian or commercial supplies have entered Gaza for over eight weeks, as all main border crossing points remain closed. There is a shortage of food and medicine in Gaza, presenting a real risk of starvation and widespread infectious diseases, particularly impacting the most vulnerable groups within the Palestinian population, such as children, women, the elderly, disabled individuals, and those who are already injured.”

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week the ban would be lifted. The Amnesty branch’s chair, Pal Luthra, today told HOT: “Two days after Israel announced the lifting of the blockade, by Tuesday, only five lorries had reached Gaza. However, humanitarian agencies were not permitted to distribute the aid. Israel claimed that 100 lorries had been approved to enter Gaza, but none were allowed in. The UN has warned of the impending starvation and famine.

“There is an urgent need for a complete lifting of the blockade. The UN humanitarian agencies and NGOs [non-governmental organisations] must be permitted to distribute food and water and provide medical and health services.”

Representations

The letter urges the MPs “to make representations to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to take a stance and demand that Israel immediately:

1. permits impartial and independent investigations to be conducted and vital evidence to be collected and stored by professional investigators, including those mandated by the UN and the ICC and those working for Palestinian and international human rights organisations;
2. lifts the blockade on humanitarian aid and allows UNRWA, WFP [World Food Programme], and international NGOs to deliver humanitarian assistance without hindrance.

“We sincerely hope you will write to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary on our behalf and forward a copy of this letter to them. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Dollimore’s office acknowledged receipt of the letter but told HOT it had no address to reply to. Luthra told HOT the letter had been delivered by email and they would be happy to receive a reply the same way.  The message was passed on to Dollimore’s office.

HOT also asked Mullan if he had received the letter and would be replying, but so far has not heard back from him.

No reply has been received from either MP, Luthra told HOT today.

 

The letter is mentioned on the branch’s FB page (see post dated 3 May).

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