Crowe calls for the end of the Gaza blockade

Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade and the Diaspora, Seán Crowe TD, has called for Israel to remove its blockade of Gaza.

The Dublin South West TD spoke about the SV Estelle which has left Sweden to break the naval blockade of Gaza by delivering aid and construction materials. Seventy-nine parliamentarians, including Sinn Féin representatives, from across the island have signed a statement supporting the ship.

Deputy Crowe sent a message of support to the crew:

“I hope that their non-violent attempts to break the Gaza blockade are successful. The ship is carrying aid and construction goods which are needed to overcome the humanitarian emergency in the region.

“The Israeli blockade of Gaza is illegal under international law and infringes the human rights of the over 1.6 million citizens. According to recent reports 80% of the population is dependent on humanitarian aid and more than 40% of the population is unemployed, as the blockade has destroyed the economy.

“The blockade has ensured that the people of Gaza have been unable to rebuild hospitals, homes and the water treatment plant, which were destroyed during the Israeli bombardment of the region in the winter of 2008-2009.

“The blockade has turned Gaza into an open air prison and it is undermining attempts to create a peace process in the region based on a two-state solution. I call on Israel to remove the blockade and allow Gaza to rebuild its infrastructure and its economy and to resolve the humanitarian crisis.”