Since international law holds the Occupying Power (Israel) responsible for the well-being and safety of the occupied "Protected People" (Palestinians), will the UN demand reimbursement from the Occupying Power (Israel) for the $454M+ they are asking for in 2007 to deal with the humanitarian mess created by this Israeli-made tsunami?
Sadly, no media bother to note this question in their reporting, yet.
Please read the following appeal:
UNITED NATIONS
NATIONS UNIES
For immediate release
7 December 2006LARGEST EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN APPEAL FOR PALESTINIANS
JERUSALEM, 7 December 2006 – Twelve UN agencies together with 14 NGOs operating in the occupied Palestinian territory today launched an emergency Appeal for $453.6 million to help meet increasing Palestinian humanitarian needs in 2007. It is the largest appeal for emergency humanitarian assistance ever launched in the occupied Palestinian territory and the third biggest in the world.
"We have been compelled to launch a larger Appeal in the face of the increased need among the Palestinian population", said Kevin Kennedy, the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator. "It is particularly aimed at assisting the most vulnerable Palestinians, including children who make up about half of the population".
"Two-thirds of Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are now living in poverty. Growing numbers of people are unable to cover their daily food needs and agencies report that basic services such as health care and education are deteriorating and set to worsen much further", he added.
The rapid deterioration is linked with the fiscal crisis facing the Palestinian Authority that has been unable to pay its 160,000 staff, on whom another one million family members depend for support. In addition, Palestinians are subject to increasing restrictions on their freedom of movement, limiting their access to jobs, markets, health services and schools. UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen Koning AbuZayd says, "The loss of life, livelihood and security in the oPt is most distressing. It is increasingly difficult for people to cope in such a volatile and unpredictable environment. UNRWA strives to provide services that enhance the human potential of the refugee population. However, we must go beyond this crisis to be able to help people regain the hope and optimism required for building a stable future. Providing the support outlined in this appeal will be a large step in the right direction."
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Most of the 2007 emergency funding sought will go towards addressing poverty through emergency employment programmes, and expanding food and agricultural aid. Agencies will also support the Palestinian institutions that deliver health, education and psychosocial services. This year's Appeal also includes a new protection sector in response to the increased death toll and vulnerability of Palestinian civilians.
"Humanitarian assistance can cushion a deteriorating situation, but it ultimately cannot stop the decline," said David Shearer, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "Ultimately only a political settlement can generate a significant improvement," he added.
"We are anxious to help the most needy maintain their dignity and have income. But the humanitarian community is not in a position to provide the full range services offered by the Palestinian Authority – and has no ambitions to do so".
For more information please contact
Chris Gunness, UNSCO, 054-5-627-825
Allegra Pacheco OCHA – 0545-627-848
Johan Eriksson, UNRWA, 054-240-2632
Nevertheless, this 15 min video is well worth the watch to get a feel for daily life and to understand why this situation is going to seriously explode very shortly, again.
The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) video "Closed" is available on the OCHA website:
http://www.ochaopt.org/?module=displaysection§ion_id=117&format=html
It is also downloadable (DIVX) 100 MB.
Contextually Related posts:
the Israelis kill, the west pays for the bullets and coffins, and the Arab regimes cheer.
I am a former liberal from London who no longer accepts the marketing about the plight of the Palestinians. King Fahd, the late chief Allah-honcho, said, apparently, ‘After the Jews, I hate the Palestinians most’. I’ve come across some startling sites describing similar hatred – in Jordan, Syria and of course, the KSA. Even in amidst chaos, the Shias of Baghdad still found time to go around ordering out the 35,000 Palestinian refugees who had settled there. Wow, their treatment is just like that of …the Jews in the 30s! Hounded whe’er they go!
The PLO killed off the moderate voice in Gaza and the West Bank leaving suicide bombers, the ultimately pointless intifadas, no infrastructure, scant education, $$$ millions in Arafat’s pockets and no hope.
‘the Israelis kill, the west pays for the bullets and coffins, and the Arab regimes cheer.’
Seems to me now that Israel only attacks when attacked and in the case of Lebanon this summer, was out to destroy the arsenal of those jackals Hezbollah. What Israel does with its aid is its own business, at least it’s a democracy. What the Palestianians do with their aid, only F knows. They should have accepted peace 50 years ago and not behave like witless islamists.
I’ve now stopped one of my monthly charity donations, which I could ill afford anyhow, on discovering it was maintaining a muslim country that preferred nuclear arms to educating its young.
The US will probably veto this too.
Let the terrorists die!
Except the terrorists are the Israelis and the supporters of the terrorists are the US.
GO FIGURE!
To Vita,
“What Israel does with its aid is its own business”
I hate to disavow you of this notion but what Israel does with it’s aid is MY business as an American. Please read the following which is the Foreign Aid and Human Rights Act of 1976 passed by Congress:
Title III — General Limitations
Human Rights
Sec. 301. (a) Section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 502B. Human Rights. — (a) (1) It is the policy of the United States, in accordance with its international obligations as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and in keeping with the constitutional heritage and traditions of the United States, to promote and encourage increased respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. To this end, a principal goal of the foreign policy of the United States is to promote the increased observance of internationally recognized human rights by all countries.
(2) It is further the policy of the United States that, except under circumstances specified in this section, no security assistance may be provided to any country the government of which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.
(3) In furtherance of the foregoing policy the President is directed to formulate and conduct international security assistance programs of the United States in a manner which will promote and advance human rights and avoid identification of the United States, through such programs, with governments which deny to their people internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, in violation of international law or in contravention of the policy of the United States as expressed in this section or otherwise.
Now, since it is ONLY the United States which has vetoed SO MANY UN sanctions against Israel which the entire rest of the world in many cases favor, isn’t that just “convenient”. The fact remains, if it were not for AIPAC and the massive influence it sways over my government which in turn protects Israel from world sanctions, they could NEVER get away with the human rights violations against the Palestinians that they have been committing for years. The fact that other Arab states have also turned their backs on the Palestinians which is utterly reprehensible OR that the Palestinian leadership in the past has made mistakes does NOT, read that, does NOT absolve Israel of their guilt in the fact that approximately SIX MILLION Palestinian refugees exist worldwide, UPROOTED FROM THEIR LAND IN ISRAEL!! The root of this problem is ZIONISM, NO OTHER thing started this problem, ONLY ZIONISM!!
There is also the Arms Export Control Act passed by Congress which the sale of arms to Israel is in violation of http://samsara.cwru.edu/aeca.html
“They should have accepted peace 50 years ago and not behave like witless islamists.” What the hell “peace” are you talking about? I suppose it is “peaceful” to throw people off their land that they have been living on thousands of years and the refugees should “peacefully” accept this? Just WHO do you think you are kidding other than yourself.
Oh my, Robin. You are wound up. And so you should be!
These are the attitudes people have when they listen to politicians and not the truth.
If they would spend a few minutes to research the truth and not be fooled by extreemists on both sides they would realise that they have been lied to!
That was my short speech.
Apartheid for Israel? I wish and so do they. But it could never happen becasue no one would back them on that, not even USA. But it would be nice, maybe make living in the middle of the damn desert surrounded by rag heads that hate you a little more enjoyable.