Wednesday 9 June 2010

Hamdan, ECESG refuse legitimizing siege


[ 09/06/2010 - 10:19 AM ]

BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Osama Hamdan, the representative of Hamas in Lebanon, has said that his movement would not accept any proposal that would legitimize the Israeli siege on Gaza Strip.

He said in a televised interview on Tuesday that such proposal would allow continuation of the siege with international approval.

Hamdan was commenting on a statement for Tony Blair, the quartet committee's envoy, that he was discussing with Israeli officials means of allowing entry of goods into Gaza while preserving Israel's security.

Hamdan said that Blair is trying to legitimize rather than end the blockade, adding that such proposals were heralding negative consequences.

Hamas is ready to positively respond to any proposal that would end the siege and suffering of Palestinians, adding that Palestinian needs should be allowed free access without any restrictions via all crossings, which were never used before to send arms to Gaza.

For its part, the European campaign to end the siege on Gaza (ECESG) warned of European statements that attempt to circumvent attempts to end the siege.

Mazen Kuhail, an ECESG member, said in a press statement on Tuesday that Blair's statement meant that lifting the siege was linked to the Israeli satisfaction about such a step, which in effect would retain the siege in other forms.

He welcomed a European honest role to end the siege and supervise the crossings to avoid Israel's control of them, adding that lifting the siege on Gaza does not only mean sending goods and food but also means allowing freedom of movement for Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

Kuhail said that the ECESG would continue to contact European decision-makers within the few coming days to get acquainted with the EU proposals on means of ending the siege.

Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has announced that the EU would attempt to draft a joint resolution on ending the Gaza siege during their meeting in Luxembourg on 14 June.



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