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Peace Now Urges Israeli Government to Reverse Policy of Cutting Supplies to Gaza. APN: Decision Underscores Need for Diplomacy

Peace Now's Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer characterized the new policy as both immoral and impractical.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 29, 2007
CONTACT: Ori Nir - (202) 728-1893

Washington, D.C.- Israel's largest peace movement, Shalom Achshav (Peace Now), urged Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak to reverse his recent decision to cut gasoline, electricity and other vital supplies to the Gaza Strip.

In a letter to Barak, Peace Now's Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer characterized the new policy as both immoral and impractical. The policy, Oppenheimer wrote, not only negates Israel's democratic and human values. "In addition, this collective punishments is likely to cause distress to thousands of innocent civilians, and will only play into the hands of Hamas, increasing their support in Gaza and the world as a whole," Oppenheimer wrote.

"Apart from the difficult moral dilemma this act causes, cutting the supplies to the Gaza Strip will only increase the extremist elements within the Gaza Strip and hatred towards Israel. Hamas and the terror groups will enjoy further renewed support from the Palestinian population, and the image of Israel will receive a further blow throughout the world.

"At the end of the day this decision will never bring an end to the Qassam fire and the terror attempts, but will only increase the bitterness and suffering within Gaza, strengthening the status of the extremists and damage Israel's world standing," Oppenheimer wrote to Barak, pointing out that the price for this policy will ultimately be paid by Israeli communities bordering Gaza, which will be pounded by yet more Palestinian projectiles.

"For the sake of the residents of Sedrot, and of all Israeli citizens, we request that you cancel this erroneous decision and instead of cutting electric supplies, work towards an open and consistent dialogue with the various elements within the Gaza strip in order to bring about a ceasefire and rehabilitation of Gaza," Oppenheimer wrote.

Commenting on Oppenheimer's letter, the President and CEO of Americans for Peace Now (APN), Debra DeLee, said that Israel's adoption of these tactics as a response to cross-border violence from Gaza underscores the urgency for diplomatic action. "Israel can and should strive to use diplomatic tools to deal with the situation in Gaza. Stability and calm would serve both Israelis and Palestinians and is more likely to curb the spiraling militancy in the Gaza Strip," DeLee said.