Blockade on Gaza must cease

One year after the Israeli war on Gaza, the Palestinian strip still staggers under an unprecedented Israeli blockade, which the international community seems unable to break.

The cruel and devastating siege was imposed on Gaza shortly after the Hamas movement ended a power struggle against the Fatah movement and took over the government in the strip in 2007.

The Palestinians are being denied the basic tools to sustain a decent life. Coupled with the continuing Israeli attacks, which have not stopped since the end of last year's war, the blockade is denying the population access to food and health and education services. It is a grim reminder of the sanctions that were imposed on Iraq during the 1990s.

Strangely, the world sits idle as the relief convoys are being turned away by Israel and neighbouring countries. The Arab League has even stopped calling for the siege to be lifted. US President Barack Obama, a self-proclaimed champion of human rights, fails to acknowledge that an entire population is being collectively punished and made to suffer because the right-wing rulers of Israel have decided it should be so.

Peace in the Middle East, which Obama chases, is impossible to attain without achieving justice. The first step towards that is lifting the siege on Gaza.