Ramallah, 19-09-07: Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative condemned Israel‘s attempts to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank. He stated that the crossings at Rafah and Karni have now been closed for more than three months, and added that, apart from limited communication with Egypt, Gaza is now completely sealed off from the outside world.
Dr. Barghouthi said the Palestinian government should urgently discuss Israeli strategies to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank.
He stated that Israeli hostilities towards Gaza are part of its overall strategy to fragment the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and said this underlines Israel‘s determination to continue its full scale military occupation, revealing the emptiness of its claim to assist in the formation of a viable Palestinian State .
Dr. Barghouthi added that Israel is seeking to punish the Palestinian people in Gaza by cutting electricity and fuel supplies, whilst the closures of crossings into and out of Gaza are aimed at preventing the movement of people, goods and funds. He said the decision not to allow international humanitarian agencies to enter Gaza is further proof of the gravity of the situation.
Dr. Barghouthi said this decision, and Israel‘s declaration that Gaza is an "enemy entity" represents a declaration of war against all Palestinian people and the collective punishment of all Gaza residents.
He added that Israel is attempting to sabotage the autumn Peace Summit before it has even taken place, as part of its overall efforts to destroy the Palestinian goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state. Dr Barghouthi said Palestinians are living under a military regime of systematic Apartheid which is intent on destroying the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, territorial integrity and a viable national future.
Dr. Barghouthi demanded that all official Palestinian organisations condemn these decisions by Israel and resolutely refuse to deal with them on this basis.
He called on all Palestinian forces to unite against the Israeli occupation and attacks and to restore Palestinian cohesion, and the end of all unilateral measures which have been imposed on Palestine by Israel since June 2007. He reiterated that Israel is exploiting the current divisions in the Palestinian political arena.
Dr. Barghouthi called for the international community to intervene to protect the Palestinian people and stop Israel‘s violations of international law.