Palestinians exiled to Gaza demand pressure on Israel to return to their homes

[ 12/07/2010 - 04:47 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- A number of deportees to the Gaza Strip called on various international community organizations to take action in prosecuting Israel and ensuring their return to their homes. The exiles, from different localities in the West Bank and territories under occupation since 1948, in addition to the deportees of the Church of Nativity, were speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of a sit-in protest outside the Red Cross headquarters in Gaza City on Monday. They stressed their commitment towards their right to return to their homes, and announced plans to organize a number of popular functions to support their cause. “We were displaced by force from our land of origin, and the Israeli occupation is not entitled to deport us and remove us from our families,” the exiles said, in a statement read by one of them, noting that they live in difficult circumstances in the Gaza Strip due to their limited incomes. For his part, Amer Ghoussein, Director General of the Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs, lashed out at Israel’s ongoing crime of exiling Palestinian civilians, some of whom live in territories under Palestinian sovereignty. Ghoussein said, “It is upon all international parties involved in the international conventions to shoulder their responsibilities towards the Palestinian people, who are being displaced by Israeli occupation forces, (a step) which is in opposition to these conventions.” He added, “Human rights organizations in Palestine and the world over demand at this time action in highlighting the suffering of the Palestinian people at all levels, particularly the deportation issue.” He noted the need for action in documenting deportation practices by forming an intensive legal and media campaign to be used to prosecute Israel for its war crimes.