Write to Nick Clegg: Protect the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza!

Paralysis in the peace process cannot be an excuse for the inhumane treatment of one and a half million people, the majority of them under 18 years old. No peaceful coexistence of any kind is possible as long as this act of collective confinement continues …

There is a clear moral imperative for Israel and Egypt to end the blockade, as well as it being in their enlightened self-interest to change course. But if they do not do so of their own volition, it is up to the international community to persuade them otherwise …

What will be the state of Gaza’s drinking water by next December? Of the health of its children? Of the economy? The attitude of its people towards Egypt and Israel? The risk of waiting another year is too great. Gordon Brown and the international community must urgently declare that enough is enough. The blockade must end.

That’s what Nick Clegg wrote in an article for the Guardian last December. Now it’s time for him to put his money where his mouth is. Please copy and paste the letter below into an email and send to one or more of the addresses below, asking Nick Clegg to act to protect the Freedom Flotilla and end the siege of Gaza.

Dear Mr Clegg

I am writing this letter to you and asking for you to show your support for the International flotilla of ships that is currently sailing towards Gaza. 750 people in 9 ships, loaded with 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid are due to dock in Gaza on Sunday afternoon.

However, Nick, Israel has issued serious threats, and the safety of all the passengers is in serious danger. They pose NO THREAT, and should be allowed to sail safely into Gaza without incident. Twenty-eight of the passengers are British, so you have a moral obligation in regards to their safety.

Nick, may I take this chance to remind you of your statements concerning Gaza and the siege, from your article in the Guardian last year:

“The legacy of Operation Cast Lead is a living nightmare for one and a half million Palestinians squeezed into one of the most overcrowded and wretched stretches of land on the planet. And as Israel and Egypt maintain a near total blockade against Gaza, the misery deepens by the day.”

You then you went on to say

“And what has the British government and the international community done to lift the blockade? Next to nothing. Tough-sounding declarations are issued at regular intervals but little real pressure is applied. It is a scandal that the international community has sat on its hands in the face of this unfolding crisis.”

Well Nick, you know what, you are now the British government. So, what are you going to do? Are you going to call for an immediate end to the siege, or are you going to do what the previous government did, which was nothing? This time, the buck stops with you Nick.

So Nick, as you can see, it is now your turn to step up to the plate and be counted. Today, the EU called for an immediate end to the siege, and for the flotilla to be allowed a safe passage into Gaza.

Will you join this voice?

Will you say “Enough Is Enough”?

Awaiting your response.

cleggn@parliament.uk
libdemleader@parliament.uk,
nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk,
leader@libdems.org.uk

Or you can telephone Nick Clegg at the following numbers:

Contsituancey office, 0114 230 9002
House of Commons, 020 7219 2371