Gaza, February 11, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) -  

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama,

We would like to express our deep thanks for your tireless and ongoing efforts to resolve Palestinian suffering from the Israeli occupation and for your commitment to spread a breath of fresh air in the Middle East that you publically expressed in your speech in Cairo.

With great concern about the ongoing crisis in Gaza, we write to you to pressure Israel to immediately remove the suffocating siege that causes the Gazans continuous and enormous suffering.

Given your keen interest and desire to help our people, we would like to draw your attention to a number of issues that are of great importance.

The people of Gaza have been paying a dear price for exercising their democratic rights. Like any other people, they have chosen their representatives in the very transparent 2006 elections that resulted in the forming of the tenth government led by Hamas. Since then, the Gazans have done so much to guarantee a normal, peaceful life, with their neighbors, and all what they gained was the further tightening of the siege and a brutal onslaught that harvested the lives of hundreds of people.

Your administration has failed to aid Palestinian reconciliation. Reconciliation would be possible if the administration played a neutral role. Since 2007, following the failed coup attempt by Fatah, Hamas has been governing Gaza in cooperation with the many Palestinian political parties, including Fatah. There are many working examples such as in the areas of education, health and law that demonstrate reconciliation is possible. It is in the interest of all Palestinian parties that a solution is found for reconciliation.

Your commitment of $300 million to help rebuild the Gaza Strip, while commendable, has not yet been received or used inside the Gaza Strip. The lack of money is not the heart of the issue, however. Without pressure being applied on Israel, all materials needed for reconstruction are prohibited. The United Nations and European NGOs, who will oversee much of the reconstruction, are not even able to get materials in through the borders. Consequently, Palestinians are still living in inhumane circumstances that threaten their daily lives, especially as the winter sets in with its bitter coldness and frost.

The nonstop hardships resulting from four years of an imposed Gaza siege must be brought to an end. The unabated suffering of the Gazans highlights the urgency of finding a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We emphasize the importance of the 54 congress members' call upon you to advocate for immediate improvements for Gaza in the following areas:

• Lifting the blockade and siege severely imposed on Gaza.
• Securing safe movement of people, especially students, the ill, aid workers, journalists, and those with family concerns, into and out of Gaza;
• Access to clean water, including water infrastructure materials,
• Access to plentiful and varied food and agricultural materials;
• Access to medicine and health care products and suppliers;
• Access to sanitation supplies, including sanitation infrastructure materials;
• Access to construction materials for repairs and rebuilding;
• Access to fuel;
• Access to spare parts;
• Prompt passage into and out of Gaza for commercial and agricultural goods; and
• Publication and review of the list of items prohibited to the people of Gaza.

Without finding a just solution for the dilemma of the Palestinians, the whole area would never enjoy real peace and stability. It is your active, strong role and efforts that will benefit the Palestinians and the entire region. Palestinians all over the world yearn for an end to their endless misery; they struggle to enjoy freedom and liberty that millions around the world take for granted; and, they long for a place to call home. One day, through the perilous efforts of the American administration, represented in you, the Palestinians will enjoy the same dignified and peaceful life other peoples lead.

Sincerely,

Diplomatic Corps
Gaza-Palestine

First published in "Eye on Diplomacy," Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Gaza