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Rights organisations sign solidarity statement as Freedom Flotilla II approaches Gaza Statement highlights the stark reality of life in Gaza under Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory
As the Freedom Flotilla II approaches Gaza this June, a group of NGOs, civil society organizations, workers and student unions and associations have signed a statement of solidarity with Gaza, titled 'A Call from Gaza in Support of the Freedom Flotilla II.' The statement summarises some of the starkest consequences of the Israeli blockade on Gaza, citing human rights reports and statistics documenting the deteriorating status of living in the strip as a result of the brutal siege. The statement notes the failure of governments, the UN and its organisations to pressure Israel into lift the blockade unconditionally, and implores civil society organisations to do so instead, invoking the example of South Africa, where international civil society pressure was an integral part in ending the apartheid system. The statement notes that Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu “have also joined this call for the world's civil society to intervene again.” Ending the statement is a call on civil society organisations worldwide “to intensify the anti-Israel sanctions campaign to compel Israel to end to its aggression. We call on the nations and citizens of the world participating in the Freedom Flotilla II to continue their plans to sail to Gaza where they would be welcomed by Palestinians.” List of Signatories: University Teachers' Association Palestinian Nongovernmental Organizations Network Al-Aqsa University Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza General Union of Youth Entities Arab Cultural Forum General Union for Health Services Workers General Union for Public Services Workers General Union for Petrochemical and Gas Workers General Union for Agricultural Workers Union of Women's Work Committees Union of Synergies—Women Unit Union of Palestinian Women Committees Women's Studies Society Working Woman's Society Palestinian Students' Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel One Democratic State Group Palestinian Youth against Apartheid Association of Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Info Palestine Sailing Federation Palestinian Association for Fishing and Maritime Palestinian Women Committees Progressive Students Union Medical Relief Society The General Society for Rehabilitation Afaq Jadeeda Cultural Centre for Women and Children Deir Al-Balah Cultural Centre for Women and Children Maghazi Cultural Centre for Children Al-Sahel Centre for Women and Youth Ghassan Kanfani Kindergartens Rachel Corrie Centre, Rafah Rafah Olympia City Sisters Al Awda Centre, Rafah Al Awda Hospital, Jabaliya Camp Ajyal Association, Gaza General Union of Palestinian Syndicates Al Karmel Centre, Nuseirat Local Initiative, Beit Hanoun Union of Health Work Committees Red Crescent Society Gaza Strip Beit Lahiya Cultural Centre Al Awda Centre, Rafah Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Information Society Women Section - Union of Palestinian Workers Syndicate Middle East Childrens' Alliance -Gaza Local Initiative -Beit Hanoun
