Lift the Embargo

• The people of Gaza-some 1.5 million of them-continue to live under the most extreme economic blockade of the 21st Century, which was imposed on them by the State of Israel, with the collusion of Egypt.  Building supplies, water and electrical infrastructure materials, pharmaceuticals and health care items like wheelchairs, and even pasta, are included in the items prevented from transport into the territory.
• Under the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory, it is explicitly forbidden by the occupying or controlling power in an occupied territory, to (1) apply collective punishment on a civilian population in retaliation for a military attack, and (2) take actions that jeopardize the health of a population of people under occupation.
• While Israel claims to have evacuated the territory of Gaza, they still maintain effective control over Gaza airspace, and access by land and sea to the territory.
• The interception by Israel of the Gaza humanitarian ships on May 31st, 2010, was done in international territory.
• Under the terms of the Law of the Sea and other international covenants, this act constitutes an act of piracy.
• The flotilla bound for Gaza was carrying non-lethal building and relief supplies.  No weapons were aboard the ships, and the vessels had been inspected by flotilla organizers before they left from their various ports of departure.
• Numerous international leaders, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Pope Benedict XVI, and many others, have characterized the human living conditions in Gaza as “deplorable”.
• On Tuesday, June 1, the European Union called for an end to the economic blockade of Gaza
• Nations around the world have condemned the May 31^st attack and call for ending the embargo yet our government remains silent concerning this grave matter.  As taxpayers and citizens, this is not acceptable.
• A substantial majority of the people of Gaza live below established international poverty norms, and more than 70% of the population relies on international aid and food assistance for subsistence.
• The availability of clean drinking water and electricity in Gaza is precarious, due to the embargo of infrastructure repair equipment from entry into the country.

Virtually the entire world knows about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  The population of this territory-some 1.5 million people-is subjected to an economic blockade enforced by Israel, and with the cooperation of Egypt, that has crippled the economy of Gaza, forced the shut-down of agriculture, industry, and essential services like water and electricity, and increased both poverty and social misery for many of the inhabitants.

Much of the focus on Gaza here in the United States has concentrated on appeals for material assistance for the population, and this is still vitally needed.  But the End the Embargo-Let Gaza Live Campaign takes the necessary action required to change the policies here in America that permit Israel to carry out this economic siege of Gaza.

Without the economic and military backing of the United States, both Israel and Egypt would be militarily and politically unable to blockade the people of Gaza.

Without the support that the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress continuously give to Israel, the embargo of Gaza would collapse.

Therefore, the End the Embargo-Let Gaza Live campaign focuses on changing one vital part of this equation: the policies of the U.S. government that allow Israel to continue the economic blockade of Gaza. We are using a petition drive and a post card campaign to reach hundreds of thousands of concerned people of faith and conscience with a simple message sent to President Obama: you must do what is required to compel Israel, and Egypt, to end the illegal economic blockade of the civilian population in Gaza.

We are calling on the President to listen to the voices of conscience of people of faith.  Our campaign has the potential to go beyond mere emotionalism, and actually help change the government policies that enable this cruel embargo to continue.

Your generous financial support, as well as your active participation, will enable us to end the embargo of the people of Gaza and Let Gaza Live.

MAS Freedom Ÿ 1325 G Street NW, Ÿ Suite 500 Ÿ Washington DC 20005

Phone: (202) 552-7414 Ÿ Toll Free: 1-(888)-627-8471 Ÿ Fax: (703) 642-6191

Email: info@masfreedom.org

MAS Freedom Press Conference at National Press Club Part 1/3

MAS Freedom Press Conference at National Press Club Part 2/3

MAS Freedom Press Conference at National Press Club Part 3/3