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.