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November 18, 2008

UN: Israel Violating Law in Gaza
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1F77790:A6F02AD83191E160FE3539AA97ECEC26F47489ACC27D21EE&
 
UN official says a half million Gazans have been forcibly deprived of
their rights, in direct contravention of international human rights and
humanitarian law 
Palestinian women wait outside the Erez Crossing as they try to enter
the Gaza Strip, on the Israel-Gaza border, 14 Nov 2008The U.N.'s top
human rights official says the Israeli blockade of Gaza is depriving
Palestinians of their most basic human rights. High Commissioner for
Human Rights Navi Pillay Tuesday called for an immediate, full lifting
of the blockade. She said it should be followed by a strong humanitarian
response to relieve what she called the massive humanitarian suffering
in Gaza. Pillay said one and a half million Gazans have been forcibly
deprived of their rights, in direct contravention of international human
rights and humanitarian law. Earlier Tuesday, Israel said it will keep
all border crossings with the Gaza Strip closed Tuesday because of
Palestinian rocket fire into southern Israel. The U.N. High Commissioner
condemned the Palestinian attacks, and appealed for both sides to stop
fighting. Israel shut its border crossings with Gaza after fighting
erupted earlier this month between Israeli troops and Gaza militants.
The blockade has led to shortages of food and fuel in the aid-dependent
Palestinian territory. Israel allowed a humanitarian aid convoy of 33
trucks into Gaza on Monday.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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