PRESS RELEASE

22 January 2008



Friends of Al-Aqsa: Israel must lift all sanctions against the Gaza Strip



Following international condemnation, Israel has eased the blockade against the Gaza Strip to allow through enough fuel to power Gazas only power station for a further 3 days. However, this is merely temporary respite and the beleaguered people of Gaza desperately need this siege to come to a complete end.



Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa said: This is collective punishment and constitutes a war crime. Israel has deliberately driven the people of Gaza into desperate poverty. This is not helping peace, but rather it is fostering even greater anger, animosity and hatred between the people of Palestine and Israel. This must come to an end and Israel must halt its collective punishment of innocent civilians.



For further comments, call Ismail Patel on 07711 823524



ENDS