The great display of disunity among Arab countries with regard to the current onslaught in Gaza is disgraceful. In fact, the stark divisions in their opinions reflect a disappointing stance at a time of grave crisis. Gaza simply could not tolerate any of these divisions.
The multiple summit propositions do not reflect the true stand of the people in the Arab world. They do not represent the mass voices of protest that have been expressed in all Arab countries. The Arab street stands in full support of Gaza and its people, expressing strong condemnation of the Israeli attack.
Yet the sharp disagreements on when and how to convene a summit reflect a bitter reality - that Arab regimes are advancing their own respective agendas. Hence, each party is deciding either to attend or boycott a summit based on whether the meet would support individualistic purposes rather than bring about an end to the horrors in Gaza.
Unfortunately, Arab governments still remain isolated from their people, and never in history have they disagreed so starkly on the convening of a summit. In fact, across the Arab world, policies of the regimes have just kept widening the gap between those who are in positions of power and the people.
No major steps have been taken to facilitate participation of the people in governance - let alone having an input or a say. This has continued to be the case regardless of the fact that changes on the global scene have brought about dramatic transformations in terms of democratic practices and participatory elections.
If the situation in Gaza is to be brought to an end, Arab regimes have to closely listen to the voice of their people.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Gaza faces humanitarian disaster
”The humanitarian needs among the civilian population in Gaza are enormous, but it is almost impossible for aid workers to get access to the area,” says NRC Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson. "
The most important thing right now is reaching a ceasefire agreement. But without adequate international pressure on the parties, the war and the atrocities will continue. It is sad that there is a lack of political will to pressure the parties into abiding international law and humanitarian principles. The victims are once again the civilian population,” says Rasmusson.
Gaza is smaller than the city of Oslo, but has three times as many inhabitants. The citizens are practically locked in the city without any chance of fleeing to safety.
“First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the civilian victims of the conflict, but also to the brave humanitarian aid workers who have been able to gain access and are doing a formidable job under very difficult conditions. The humanitarian situations is worsening every hour and are reaching dimensions that are hard to imagine,” Rasmusson says.
NRC has previously run projects in Gaza and is prepared to resume its emergency aid work as soon as the conditions allow it.
The most important thing right now is reaching a ceasefire agreement. But without adequate international pressure on the parties, the war and the atrocities will continue. It is sad that there is a lack of political will to pressure the parties into abiding international law and humanitarian principles. The victims are once again the civilian population,” says Rasmusson.
Gaza is smaller than the city of Oslo, but has three times as many inhabitants. The citizens are practically locked in the city without any chance of fleeing to safety.
“First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the civilian victims of the conflict, but also to the brave humanitarian aid workers who have been able to gain access and are doing a formidable job under very difficult conditions. The humanitarian situations is worsening every hour and are reaching dimensions that are hard to imagine,” Rasmusson says.
NRC has previously run projects in Gaza and is prepared to resume its emergency aid work as soon as the conditions allow it.
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