FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2020

CONTACT:
Yonah Lieberman, press@ifnotnowmovement.org 

Today, a petition by the Jewish anti-occupation group IfNotNow in support of the Palestinians in Gaza under threat by the coronavirus reached 10,000 signatures. The petition was launched on Friday, March 20th and demands that the Israeli government life its 15-year long blockade of Gaza and “live up to its legal and moral obligation to provide the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza with access to adequate medical supplies — such as Coronavirus test kits, ventilation devices, and medical masks — in order to prevent a catastrophic escalation of Gaza’s already existing humanitarian crisis.” That weekend, news broke that two Palestinians in Gaza had tested positive for COVID-19.

“The coronavirus has accelerated the existing economic and health crisis at home – it’s no surprise that it’s had the same effect on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, caused by Israel’s 15-year blockade,” said IfNotNow Campaign Director Dani Moscovitch, “This petition represents an outpouring of support from American Jews for the Palestinians in Gaza and shows that the grassroots of the community rejects the dehumanizing, anti-Palestinian rhetoric that has come from the establishment for years. While our political and communal leaders ignore the Israeli-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we are taking action.”

Human rights organizations in Israel/Palestine have made it clear that because of Israel’s blockade, Gaza is in dire need of medical support. According to a statement by Btselem, “After decades of occupation in which it avoided any investment there, and after more than 12 years of blockade, Israel has turned Gaza into the biggest open-air prison in the world. The Gaza Strip is now in the throes of a humanitarian disaster – created entirely by Israel.” The organization Physicians for Human Rights noted that Gaza only has been able to administer 92 tests for COVID-19 and only has 70 ICU beds (some of which are already in use). And Gisha, a leading human rights organization focusing on Gaza, made it clear that Israel should “rescind existing limitations on exit of goods from the Strip and enable the entrance of all items needed by local authorities. Items Israel defines as “dual-use,” including communications equipment, medical equipment, raw materials, and machinery necessary for the economy to function must be allowed in without delay.”