Dr. Barghouthi condemns the Israeli refusal to allow the Libyan ship to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza

Ramallah, 01-12-08: Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi MP, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative, today strongly condemned the Israeli refusal to allow the Libyan vessel carrying humanitarian aid to dock in Gaza.

Said Dr Barghouthi, "We condemn the Israeli action preventing an Arab ship carrying food and medicine for the children and people of Gaza from arriving in Gaza. This proves that, contrary to their claims, Israel is still completely occupying the Gaza Strip."  

"Israel is in violation of the 4^th Geneva Convention which obliges the occupying power to provide humanitarian needs to the occupied people. But not only is Israel in violation of the Geneva Convention, they have also created the worst form of collective punishment by subjecting 1,5 million Palestinians to a severe humanitarian crisis. By limiting the access of Gazans to food, medicine and healthcare, Israel is practically committing a war crime", Dr Barghouthi added.