AMP denounces Egyptian plans for an underground wall on Gaza border

Action Alert

Demand Egypt cease construction of barrier that will further strangle supplies to Gaza

(PALOS HILLS, ILL 12/31/2009) – Israeli news sources have reported that Egypt – with assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – has begun construction of an underground metal barrier aimed at sealing the tunnels through which humanitarian aid is brought into Gaza.

When finished, the wall will be about 6 miles long and sink 100 feet into the earth, Haaretz News reported on Dec. 9.

The Palestinians of Gaza rely upon the tunnels to bring construction materials, food, even livestock into the Strip, which Israel has had under siege for more than two years. The blockade has crippled Gaza’s economy – at least 90 percent of the Strip’s 1.5 million residents rely upon the United Nations for food and other humanitarian supplies. More than 25,000 people – whose homes were destroyed in Israel’s attack last winter that killed more than 1,400 Palestinians – are still homeless and living in tents or other inadequate shelters. The Palestinians of Gaza have virtually no heating or cooking fuel, clean drinking water or adequate medicines.

The American Muslims for Palestine denounce this latest attempt to strangle the Palestinians of Gaza. AMP calls on the Egyptian government to halt this construction immediately. AMP also calls on Egypt to open its Rafah border and to allow the free flow of aid and goods into Gaza.


TAKE ACTION
We must apply immediate and immense pressure upon the Egyptian government. Call or e-mail Egyptian Ambassador Sameh Shoukry with the following demands.

• Cease all construction on the underground wall which, if constructed, will significantly worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
• Open the Rafah border and allow the free flow of aid and goods into Gaza
• Allow Palestinians freedom of movement between Gaza and Egypt.

Egyptian Embassy contact:
202.966.6342 (If that number is busy, call 202.895.5400 and press 2)
[email protected] or www.egyptembassy.net/contactus.cfm