Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Worst Since 1967 International Groups Say–Obama and Clinton Say What???

6Mar2008 Filed under: 2008 elections, Barack Obama, Gaza, Hillary Clinton, Israel, JVoices Author: Cole

A coalition of human rights groups say the humanitarian situation in Gaza is now the worst since 1967. Amnesty International, Save the Children, Care International and Christian Aid have joined together to criticize Israel’s blockade on Gaza as illegal collective punishment which fails to deliver security. More than 1.1 million Gazans are now dependent on food aid. Geoffrey Dennis of Care International said, “Unless the blockade ends now, it will be impossible to pull Gaza back from the brink of this disaster, and any hopes for peace in the region will be dashed.” Since last week, Israeli forces have killed more than 120 Palestinians in Gaza. During the same period, four Israelis have been killed.

And where are the Democratic candidates on this?

On the campaign trail, both Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have voiced support for Israel following its attack on Gaza. Obama said, “The violence in Gaza is the result of Hamas’s decision to launch rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, and Israel has a right to defend itself.” Clinton issued a similar statement, saying, “I deplore and condemn the Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel, including the city of Ashkelon. Israel has the right to defend its citizens.”

Really? Really? None of y’all are even going to somewhat, just maybe slightly try to find a political way to say something about the devastating humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza? Seriously?

Well, I got a good quasi-People Magazine moment out of the JTA the other day when I read that Obama and Clinton’s top staffers on Jewish affairs got their start together as AIPAC graduates.

I couldn’t help from feeling like I was about to read a success story about the powers of JDate from the title: “When Hillary’s Josh Met Obama’s Eric”–doesn’t it just sound like you’re about to read about the most fabulous makings of a warm and fuzzy love affair, topped off by a gallant wedding with fabulous cocktails…or am I just in withdrawal from Project Runway!?! Sigh…well, that would have been fun to read.

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3 Responses to “Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Worst Since 1967 International Groups Say–Obama and Clinton Say What???”

Ed Greenberg
March 6th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Well, I think that the two democratic responses were just fine, if perhaps a bit mild. Everything that is happening in Gaza now is a direct result of Arag agression against Isreal, beginning in 1948 and never letting up.

Unless you live within a missile throw of Gaza, you really have no cause to complain.
Abe Bird
March 6th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Humanitarian situation in Gaza is now the worst since 1967, the worth since 1993, the worst that 1954, the worst even than 2007 and the worst than any other year in between. So what? Who really cares?

Any way the Arab Palestinians in Gaza have anything have their food and water. Israel pushes in sufficient food. It’s very odd one might say. Have you ever heard that a country take care of hers enemy in time of war?

I really don’t understand the Israelis. It’s a war. And in war they have to fight as in war. And if not the war will continue in much more damage to both sides. Israel has to take un proportional steps in order to cut off Arab terror infrastructure and human resources.
Cole Krawitz
March 6th, 2008 at 6:21 pm

Ed, maybe you missed the piece I put up yesterday from Vanity Fair that demonstrates a very different picture about the current situation in Gaza. “With confidential documents, corroborated by outraged former and current U.S. officials, David Rose reveals how President Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and Deputy National-Security Adviser Elliott Abrams backed an armed force under Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan, touching off a bloody civil war in Gaza and leaving Hamas stronger than ever.”

And seriously, the argument that we have no right to talk about an issue unless I live a “missile throw” away is a crock. It’s the worst argument out there, and is completely against Jewish ethics and values.

And Abe–I care. Hundreds of thousands of people care. International organizations–and the international community–they all care. And, well, you’re just wrong. Reports are showing that there isn’t sufficient food and water.

“Food and jobs are scarce, schools are floundering, hospitals are without electricity and sewage flows freely to the sea.

Palestinians form a line in January at a Gaza City bakery, one of few that hadn’t closed for lack of fuel.

So said a Thursday report from eight human rights agencies, which say conditions in Gaza are worse today than at any point since the Israeli military began occupying the territory three decades ago.

“The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can be reversed,” it said.”"

No one is arguing about whether or not a country has a right to defend itself. What is being argued, and stated in this report and by international figures all around is that the current policy and military choices around Gaza are failing to actually achieve this goal, and these actions are putting thousands of civilians in harms way, which is illegal under international humanitarian law, as is firing rockets onto civilians.