Green Party Calls For U.N Buffer Zone and Stabilization Plan in Gaza

In light of the serious escalation in violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza region and what appears to be an intractable political stand-off, the Green Party is calling for an immediate cessation of the violence and for leadership from "The Quartet"  (U.S., Russia, E.U., U.N.) to begin negotiations with all parties to establish a comprehensive stabilization plan and buffer zone around Gaza.

Already 1,400 people have been injured and 375 killed in Gaza and 5 in Israel by Israeli air-strikes and Hamas rockets, and emergency services in Gaza are overwhelmed by the continuing violence.  Children are especially vulnerable to the psychological terror of repeated air-strikes and rocket attacks.  A recent Queen's University study has identified the children of Gaza - which comprise almost half the population of the territory - as heavily impacted psychologically by war trauma.

Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May commented, "It is time for political leaders in the region and from influential nations outside the region, to seriously collaborate in ending a tragedy that is a lose/lose proposition for everyone regardless of any perceived short-term gains."

Stage One of a Gaza Area Stabilization Plan would include:

1. An immediate end to all hostilities and the establishment of a sustainable cease-fire arrangement.
2. The deployment of U.N. Peace-Making forces within a Neutral Buffer Zone who assume the responsibility for ending missile attacks on Israel using a combination of political, policing and technical means and methods.
3. The establishment of a Green Economic Development Area and Agricultural/Water Research Institute at the Egyptian/Gaza border which would be developed in collaboration with the Egyptian government - the initial stage would be on the Egyptian side - and with long-term financial and technical support from the international community.
4. Increased support for primary and secondary education infrastructure and resources as well as significantly enhanced medical and psychological treatment capacity.
5. Re-opening border crossing points under U.N. oversight to allow continuous access of humanitarian supplies into Gaza.

Green Party of Canada International Affairs Critic Eric Walton  added "because of the intense and  chronic nature of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict  it is likely that a sustainable peace process will require a  multi-track approach that simultaneously addresses state security,  economic development, environmental protection and human security concerns."

Contact:

Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916