Lifting the Gaza blockade - your voice has made a difference‏

Those of you among the 25,000 who signed up to Oxfam's 'Help lift the Gaza blockade' campaign by emailing William Hague will have receive a letter of thanks from Oxfam. The action that made a difference that will allow 1.5 million ordinary Gazans to start importing all food items and some of the many thousands of non-food items Israel has denied them up until now. While only a small step, it is a step. Read below for the letter.....

"Thank you for showing your support for bold government action on the Gaza blockade. You were one of almost 25,000 people who took swift and effective action with Oxfam to help end the crisis for the people of Gaza.


You will be pleased to know you have made a difference. Oxfam passed your call to action on to the government and lobbied hard to ensure Foreign Secretary William Hague did all he could to lift the blockade. Following an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday, it now seems increasingly likely that the people of Gaza will have improved access to many of the items they desperately need. This could be an important, albeit limited, step in the right direction.

Prime Minister Netanyahu's commitment to liberalise the system by which 'civilian goods' can enter Gaza is key. This should allow one and a half million ordinary Gazans to start importing all food items and some of the many thousands of non-food items Israel has denied them up until now.

However, for a productive economy to start functioning again, Gazans also need to be able to export the goods they produce and get their businesses up and running again. This will give independence to thousands of people who are unnecessarily dependent on international aid. The Israeli announcement has not yet mentioned Gazans' right to export or increased fishing rights, both of which are essential for Gazans to rebuild their lives.

Oxfam will continue to monitor the situation, but further action will be needed to ensure the blockade is completely lifted. We still need you to keep putting pressure on your MP and through the local media to ensure that the world's eyes remain on Gaza until civilians' rights to life and livelihood are protected. Download our Gaza action guide to find out what else you can do to help.

The UK can call for an emergency international conference to lift the blockade of Gaza, allowing the free movement of people, humanitarian aid and commercial goods.

Your support has helped begin to change things for the people of Gaza. Please keep working with us ensure that change continues. "

Thank you
Martin Kirk
Head of UK Campaigns
Oxfam GB