Statements, letters from GCAP

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Poverty will devastate Palestinian people if there is not an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

4th Jan, 2009: The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) condemns the prolonged border blockade, the on-going air and ground attacks on Gaza and missile attacks on Israel. The world’s largest anti-poverty alliance calls upon the international community to intervene to bring about an immediate ceasefire so goods and people can move freely through Gaza’s borders.
“Collective punishment is against international law, and many of victims are civilians, including children. The conflict has serious implications on the availability of food, water and medicines in Gaza. Spending on war and conflict is directing valuable resources away from anti poverty programs,” said Ziad Abdel Samad, Coordinator Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) and member of GCAP Arab Region.

“The UN, the European Union, the Arab League, Russia and the USA must act together to ensure a total stoppage to the Israeli attacks. This must include the opening of border points not only for humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, but also to allow Palestinians in Gaza make a living. The already high levels of violence and poverty families experienced before the attacks will become simply devastating without immediate action,” said Sylvia Borren, Co-Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, and part of the IWC (The International Women’s Commission for a just and sustainable Palestinian-Israeli Peace).
Recent efforts at peace building risk being totally undermined now as extremists on both sides are strengthened and democratic groups weakened. The only way to achieve a secure and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through a commitment by both sides to a meaningful dialogue and negotiation. All the blockades and other conditions that stifle Gaza’s economy and prevent its citizens from earning a living must be removed immediately. The escalation of this conflict also negatively affects peace- and interfaith initiatives elsewhere in the world.

GCAP has over 100 coalitions worldwide including 10 active in the Arab region. GCAP Palestine has worked for four years to call for an end to the root causes to poverty, including the Israeli operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
For further information or to book an interview with a GCAP spokesperson contact: Ciara O’Sullivan, cel + 34 679 598 809 ciara.osullivan@civicus.org
See www.whiteband.org for more information on GCAP
The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is a civil society alliance of social movements, international NGOs, trade unions, community groups, women’s organizations, faith and youth groups, local associations and campaigners working together across more than 100 national coalitions/platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, GCAP demands solutions that address the issues of public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights; trade justice; more and better aid; debt cancellation; and gender equality and women’s rights. For more information, visit http://www.whiteband.org/


January 6, 2009

Dear friends

The situation in Gaza is of great concern to all of us. The humanitarian crisis caused by the past 10 days of attacks has created a demand for immediate action and a collective voice to diffuse the situation and restore peace in the region. GCAP has responded by issuing a statement on the situation in Gaza and GCAP Palestine has also appealed for donations to deal with the crisis on the ground.

The statement has already been released to the media and other global partners. Please find it attached in English or download other language (Spanish and French, Portuguese and Arabic to follow) versions of the statement from the following links:

http://www.whiteband.org/media-fr/information/la-pauvrete-va-devaster-le-peuple-palestinien-sil-ny-a-pas-de-cessez-le-feu-immediat-dans-la-bande-de-gaza/
http://www.whiteband.org/media-es/informacion/la-pobreza-devastara-al-pueblo-palestino-si-no-hay-un-alto-el-fuego-inmediato-en-gaza/
http://www.whiteband.org/media/press-info/poverty-will-devastate-palestinian-people-if-there-is-not-an-immediate-ceasefire-in-gaza/

GCAP Palestine has requested that we add a line calling for a boycott of Israeli goods by consumers worldwide as both a form of protest against the
attacks and in solidarity with their people. The following suggested
wording may be added to the end of the release if you support this call for a boycott.

*"GCAP Palestine is now calling on the world to boycott Israeli goods and services in solidarity with their people at this time of suffering."*

Please circulate this statement widely to civil society in your region and release immediately to local media or other appropriate channels to build pressure for immediate ceasefire, an ending to the siege of Gaza city and opening up of border for relief goods to Gaza.

*Appeal for Donations for Survivors in Gaza:*

To deal with the humanitarian situation in Gaza GCAP Palestine has also made a special appeal to the world community for donations to provide medicine, food and other necessary relief goods to survivors in Gaza. The following two account numbers can be used to send donations to GCAP Palestine:

*BENF. NAME:* PALESTINIAN NGOS NETWORK
*BENF A/C:* 9030/620330/510

ARAB BANK PLC, AL BIREH BR., AL HADDA ST., P.O. BOX 3731
TEL: +970 2 2959581, FAX: +970 2 2959588 *SWIFT CODE: *ARABPS22030

*USD CORR.*
CREDIT SUISSE (IN ZURICH)*
SWIFT CODE: *CRESCHZZ80A

*EUR CORR.*
ARAB BANK AG
FRANKFURT
*SWIFT CODE:* ARABDEFF


We look forward to your support and solidairty on this important matter.

Regards

Irfan Mufti


GCAP Manager
Tel: 27 11 833-5959, ext. 116
irfan.mufti@civicus.org