Rally to mark 2nd anniversary of Israeli war on Gaza

By Mohammad Ben Hussein

AMMAN - Members of the professional associations are scheduled to hold a rally today to commemorate the second anniversary of the Israeli war on Gaza.

Leaders of the 14 professional associations and members of opposition parties are expected to discuss the impact of the war on the Palestinian issue as well as the situation of Gazans in the aftermath of the offensive, according to Ala Bourqan, spokesman of the Professional Associations Council.

Some 1,400 Palestinians were killed and thousands injured during the 22-day onslaught, which destroyed the area’s infrastructure.

Academicians and experts will offer analyzes on the political situation in the region following the 22-day offensive.

Activists are also expected to pledge commitment to help Gazans prevail over the siege imposed on the coastal enclave in 2007.

In addition, a number of association leaders will present assessments on the current situation in Palestine and discuss the fate of the stalled peace talks.

Activists have vowed to maintain political and economic support to Gaza until the sanctions are lifted.

"The war has ended, but its impact continues. We have to keep discussing this sensitive and highly important war to learn lessons from it for the future," Bourqan said.

Since the start of the blockade, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) has sent dozens of aid convoys to Gaza carrying badly needed items including medical equipment, basic food items and equipment that can ease the impact of the blockade on the Hamas-controlled enclave.

Since the Israeli blockade on Gaza started in 2007, the JHCO has sent almost 100 convoys to the strip, carrying over $33 million worth of aid.

In addition, Jordan deployed a field hospital to the coastal enclave in January 2009 that has dealt with more than 379,000 cases and carried out more than 10,435 surgeries.

Israel began to ease its restrictions earlier this year, allowing in all purely civilian goods, after an international outcry over a May 31 commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in which nine Turkish activists were killed.

28 December 2010

Source: The Jordan Times.
Link: http://jordantimes.com/?news=32972.