Press Release: attack on Women's Boat To Gaza

Amsterdam, October 6, 2016

Dear Sir / Madam,

The Netherlands Palestine Committee strongly condemns the action undertaken in international waters by the Israeli Armed Forces to intercept the Women's Boat To Gaza.

It is the blockade of the Gaza Strip which constitutes an illegal act, not peaceful protest against it. In fact, the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians that the blockade entails, is a violation of international law and a war crime.

We call on the members of the Dutch Parliament,

the Dutch Government and others to raise their voice against yet another example of Israeli lawless behaviour.

We demand an effort by the international community to put an immediate end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and to harness more support for the reconstruction of this part of Palestine, which was devastated as a result of successive Israeli military offensives.

We furthermore demand the immediate release of the crew of the Women's Boat.

Sincerely,

Robert Soeterik

Chairman Netherlands Palestine Committee