Carter, Tutu among global Elders promoting peace in Israel, West Bank, while neglecting humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Published yesterday (updated) 26/08/2009 18:58

Ramallah – Ma’an –

Former US President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Irish President Mary Robinson and a constellation of other international luminaries visited Qalandiya Refugee Camp in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday.

Together they form The Elders, an organization founded by former South African President Nelson Mandela in 2007. The group is visiting Israel and the West Bank this week to gather support for a renewed peace process.

The delegation is led by former Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso and also includes Indian microfinance pioneer Ela Bhatt and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland.

Meeting with residents of Qalandiya camp, in the shadow of Israel’s massive Qalandiya military checkpoint, the world leaders listened to locals’ tales of life under occupation. The delegation will later meet Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and hold a press conference.

In their official statements The Elders stress that they support renewed negotiations toward a two-state solution but are not directly involved in diplomacy in this regard.

In a statement The Elders said they “support all those working for peace and to listen to the concerns of those on both sides who are affected by the conflict.”

“The Elders recognize that people have been disappointed by failure to secure a lasting agreement in the past and although the majority of Israelis and Palestinians want peace, and agree on a two-state solution, experience has made them skeptical that agreement can be reached,” the statement continues.

Noting that they are not scheduled to go to the Gaza Strip, The Elders said: “An important priority for the Elders is to highlight the situation in Gaza and to call for an end to the blockade. Regrettably, due to the current dynamic security situation, their visit to Gaza has been postponed until The Elders’ next visit to the region, which will take place as soon as their agendas allow.”

OCHA: "Gaza on the verge of humanitarian crisis"

Wednesday August 26, 2009 04:52 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

A report published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that the Gaza Strip is on the verge of a devastating humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing Israeli siege on the coastal region si.nce more than three years

The UN stated that some 120.000 employees have lost their jobs, while %75 of the residents does not even have sufficient access food, proper education and health services.

The report added that the ongoing Israeli siege has created further crises in Gaza, and increasing the suffering of the residents as they do not have access to basic services.

It also said that as Israel hold foods supplies on the borders for extended periods under security claims, most of the food eventually expires and becomes unfit for human consumption.

Israel is holding some 17000 containers filled with foodstuffs and supplies. The goods stored in the containers are worth $10.000.000.