It’s time to listen

THE collective punishment of the entire Palestinian population living in Gaza, as accurately described by Irish aid agency Trocaire in its document entitled

‘Give Peace a Chance’ was absolutely affirmed for me on my recent visit to the besieged enclave.

Along with eight other members of the recently established Gaza Action Ireland, we were hosted by the award-winning Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).

We took part in civil society meetings and field trips and along the way met with representatives of the General Fishermen’s Union of Gaza, the Palestinian NGO Network in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA and the BNC (Boycott National Council).

We visited Shifa Hospital, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and its Ambulance and Emergency Department, al-Helal Sports Club and some artists’ co-operatives in Gaza City.

What struck me most was the resilience of the people in the face of the all-pervasive siege imposed by Israel. This was very evident when meeting fishermen whose livelihoods have been decimated by what is an illegal blockade. We heard first-hand accounts of some of them being physically prevented from working more than a few miles off the coast and witnessing fellow workers being shot and killed by the Israeli Navy.

Displaying scars from bullets, they described the intimidation and brutality inflicted upon them on a weekly basis. Despite this, they are determined to maintain their long tradition of fishing and be able to do it freely, safely and with dignity.

The evidence of the impact of the siege and the aggression by Israel on the population is visible everywhere but so is the people’s resolve to live as full a life as possible.

The acute suffering of the population of Gaza manifests itself in many forms; in the refugee camps, the consistent power cuts, the lack of trade, the denial of the freedom of travel, the lack of a postal service, and a chronic shortage of supplies including basic medical equipment and education materials.

All this is accompanied by much psychological trauma as the population of Gaza is regularly subjected to extreme violence by Israel.

Yet even in the face of such human suffering, the fishermen continue to fish, the teachers continue to teach and people are determined to live. I also met with feminist students who use their writing abilities to reach beyond the Israeli siege and tell their story.

Gaza is full of young bloggers and youth using social media to express themselves.

It was with disappointment that, on my return, I read my fellow councillor’s criticism of Trocaire’s report in a recent edition of Southside People.

There can be no rationalisation for the denial of even the most basic human rights of the 1.7 million people of Gaza, over half of whom are under 18.

I invite anyone who questions the veracity of gross breaches of human rights in Gaza or in the Occupied Territories to visit and see the reality of the situation there for themselves.

We can no longer simply sympathise with those who are being oppressed; we must also answer their call for solidarity and action. We hope to invite some of those we met in Gaza to Ireland soon to share their stories.

It is time we listened.