PHA-Exch> PICKET & RALLY (Canada)- Breaking the Siege On Gaza

[Claudio Schuftan]

>
>  *From:* Maija Kagis <maija.kagis at sympatico.ca>
>  *From:* Alliance for People's Health [mailto:
> allianceforpeopleshealth at gmail.com]
>
>
> *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*
>
>
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