8 June 2010
The European Union must put an end to the shameful and illegal siege that Israel imposes on Gaza. For 4 years, 1.5 million people have been living in inhumane conditions for having democratically elected a party Israel does not accept; for 43 years, Israel has been blocking all access to Gaza and controlling its territorial waters.
From Friday 11 to Monday 14, when we know the outcome of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, we will rally with nonviolent action at the doors of the European Commission Delegation in Barcelona(P de Gracia, 90)*
(FRIDAY 11, SATURDAY 12, SUNDAY, 13 from 10 to 21h. MONDAY 14, from 10 to time we know the outcome)
The European Union must put an end to the shameful and illegal siege that Israel imposes on Gaza. For 4 years, 1.5 million people have been living in inhumane conditions for having democratically elected a party Israel does not accept; for 43 years, Israel has been blocking all access to Gaza and controlling its territorial waters.
The latest acts of violence, including injured and dead, committed by the ultraconservative Israeli government against the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ in international waters and the sweeping reaction against them that has arisen around the world are a turning point: we cannot continue accepting the impunity and arrogance of the Israeli government and the siege on Gaza must come to an end.
On Monday 14 June, the Spanish Presidency of the EU has its last chance for advancing peace in the Middle East. We demand, as Union citizens, that the EU Foreign Affairs Council approves an urgent plan to put an end to the siege on Gaza in the coming days.
From Friday 11 to Monday 14, when we know the outcome of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, we will rally with nonviolent action at the doors of the European Commission Delegation in Barcelona(P de Gracia, 90)*
We are calling on unions and cultural, political, academic, and religious organizations, and all citizens in general to support our demand, to submit their statements to the current President of the EU, Mr. J.L. Rodríguez Zapatero, and to read them at the rally **. We are also inviting artists, intellectuals and anyone who wants to join us to show their solidarity in silence, with poems, songs, and drawings.
We are calling for similar actions to take place across Europe and beyond, in front of EU institutions and delegations, Governments, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and municipalities, so that our demands are conveyed to our respective governments.
We do not want history to judge us because we were complicit in the largest and most enduring concentration camp of the century through our silence and inaction.
For the respect of international law. For an end to the siege and the occupation. No more impunity
Organised by: Coordinadora d’entitats Amb Palestina al Cor www.alcor.palestina.cat
ACSUR-Las Segovias, Alliance for Freedom and Dignity, Associació Catalana per la Pau, CIEMEN, Comunitat Palestina de Catalunya, Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya, Moviment per la Pau, Sodepau, Nexes, Nova – Centre per a la Innovació Social, Servei Civil Internacional (SCI), Xarxa d’Enllaç amb Palestina, Fundació Nous Horitzons i Consell de la Joventut de Barcelona (CJB).
(*) This action is part of a whole week of mobilisation in Barcelona against Israel’s impunity – demos on Monday and Saturday and, human rights activists in chains at the Spanish Government Delegation in Catalunya on 4 and 5 June requiring Spanish President Zapatero to demand Israel to allow the Rachel Corrie into Gaza.
(**) Organizations and people who would like to speak at the rally, please confirm if possible day and time: ambpalestinaalcor@yahoo.com
Spokespersons: 635 437 485 / +34 671 002 015 Press: +34 651 341 406 comunicacio@nova.cat www.noviolencia.nova.cat