Moussa in Gaza: Siege must come to end

Published today (updated) 13/06/2010 14:03

Gaza – Ma'an –

"The siege must end and the Arab League's stance on this is very clear," said the body's Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Sunday as he entered Gaza on Sunday for his first official visit to the Strip.

"The whole world supports the Palestinian people against the siege of Gaza and other practices in Palestine, particularly in Jerusalem," Moussa told reporters upon his arrival through the southern Rafah crossing.

The Arab League chief's agenda includes Palestinian unity, he said. "Reconciliation is a necessity, and it needs willingness rather than the signing of documents. It is a policy and attitude which ends in agreement on all topics ... this willingness is what history is dependent on."

Moussa said he had been "eager to set foot on Palestinian land and meet Palestinians, regardless of their affiliation, because they all represent, particularly in Gaza, steadfastness in the face of the siege."

"I am here to greet the Palestinian people and see them united and unwilling to become a tool used by any side," Moussa added. The official is scheduled to meet with leaders of Palestinian factions, as well as Gaza government Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh at the premier's home in the Ash-Shati refugee camp.

The visit is first in his official capacity as Arab League Secretary-General, though he had previously visited the Strip during the presidency of Yasser Arafat.

Several Gaza government ministers received Moussa upon his arrival in an Egyptian car escorted by Egyptian security, as he began a 12-hour tour of the coastal enclave, which include a visit to bereaved families, areas still in need of reconstruction after Israel's Operation Cast Lead.

Arab League chief arrives in Gaza

Published today (updated) 13/06/2010 15:34

Gaza – Ma'an –

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa arrived in Gaza on Sunday morning via the Rafah crossing, where he will be received by Gaza government officials for a 12-hour visit.

A Gaza government spokesman said Moussa will visit the Samouni and Ad-Daya families, who lost dozens of relatives during Israel's Operation Cast Lead in December 2008-January 2009. The Arab League chief will then head to the Izbat Abed Rabbo area in Gaza and meet with other bereaved families.

At midday, Moussa is excepted to tour the UNRWA Al-Fakhoura School in Jabaliya, which Israeli forces bombed while civilians were using the school as a shelter, then the American School in Gaza City, which was also largely destroyed, and the Ash-Shifa Hospital.

Following the tour, Moussa will meet with Gaza government Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh at his home in the Ash-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, where they will hold a joint news conference.

The official is further due to meet with leaders of Palestinian factions at the Commodore Hotel, before meeting with organizers and representatives of Gaza's civil societies and NGOs, and hold a final news conference before returning to Egypt.

Moussa's first official visit to the coastal enclave follows a fatal Israeli raid on a Gaza bound fleet of aid ships, in which nine people were killed by Israeli forces in international waters.

The Arab League chief was quick to condemn the attack, saying "Israel is the main reason for the black hole in the region," denouncing Israel's "atrocity and assault" on a flotilla bound for Gaza.

Moussa visit 'humane'

On Saturday, Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad An-Nekhalah described Moussa’s visit as “significant” and “humane,” calling for practical steps toward ending the siege on Gaza, particularly from Arab leaders.

A statement issued by the leader warned against optimism that the visit would produce immediate results, but said recent international calls for an end to blockade were significant.

“The Palestinians in Gaza are not only in need of aid, but also of freedom – this is much more important than the international demand to end the siege,” the official wrote.

An-Nekhalah said “the first siege that must be brought to an end is that of Palestinian disunity which must be restored on new foundations, other than those accredited by the PLO under Oslo.”

Moussa in Gaza to meet officials, visit destroyed areas

 [ 13/06/2010 - 10:02 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Amr Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League, has arrived Sunday morning in the Gaza Strip to meet with Palestinian officials and make field visits to areas bombed during Israel’s war.

In a press conference, Moussa stressed the need for ending the blockade imposed on Gaza people and the importance of implementing a decision in this regard issued earlier by the Arab countries.

“I admit that I am eager to walk on the land of Palestine and meet with all steadfast Palestinians of all affiliations,” the Arab League head told journalists.

He also said that the issue of the inter-Palestinian reconciliation is on the top of his agenda during his visit, adding that the reconciliation needs determination and not just signature, and an agreement on all details.

The information office of the Palestinian government in Gaza said that Moussa intends to meet many families who survived the Israeli massacres during the war and will participate in a joint news conference with premier Ismail Haneyya today.

In the same context, Dr. Basem Naim, the Palestinian health minister, said in a press conference this morning in the presence of Moussa that this visit attracted the attention of all Palestinians, especially since it was made for the first time since the siege was imposed on Gaza.

“We hope that this visit can lead to the lifting of the siege once and for all and we also hope it can close the reconciliation file and restore the national unity,” Dr. Naim affirmed.

“You will see today for yourself what you heard in the news and read in reports about the size of the Palestinian people’s suffering, and you will see the destruction and devastation caused by the Zionist enemy in its last war and its use of internationally-prohibited weapons against children, women and unarmed civilians,” the minister said addressing Moussa.

“But you will also see the bright side of the image; you will not see one citizen hesitant in his steadfastness and fortitude. Every Palestinian refuses to waive his rights and constants in light of the ongoing Zionist aggression,” he added.

For his part, senior Hamas official Salah Al-Bardawil said today that his Movement welcomes the visit of the Arab League head and any Arab move aimed at ending the blockade on Gaza.

“We are in favor of any Arab move to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip and prevent any aggressive act against it; we hope that the visit of the secretary-general of the Arab League Amr Moussa to Gaza will be a prelude to more robust Arab positions able to pressure the Israeli enemy to stop its aggression on the Palestinian people,” Bardawil underscored.