We will not “return to a living death” of siege and blockade, say Gaza civil society leaders. Ashraf Amra APA images

As academics, public figures and activists witnessing the intended genocide of 1.8 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, we call for a ceasefire with Israel only if conditioned on an end to the blockade and the restoration of basic freedoms that have been denied to the people for more than seven years.

Our foremost concerns are not only the health and safety of the people in our communities, but also the quality of their lives – their ability to live free of fear of imprisonment without due process, to support their families through gainful employment, and to travel to visit their relatives and further their education.

These are fundamental human aspirations that have been severely limited for the Palestinian people for more than 47 years, but that have been particularly deprived from residents of Gaza since 2007. We have been pushed beyond the limits of what a normal person can be expected to endure.

A living death

Charges in the media and by politicians of various stripes that accuse Hamas of ordering Gaza residents to resist evacuation orders, and thus use them as human shields, are untrue. With temporary shelters full and the indiscriminate Israeli shelling, there is literally no place that is safe in Gaza.

Likewise, Hamas represented the sentiment of the vast majority of residents when it rejected the unilateral ceasefire proposed by Egypt and Israel without consulting anyone in Gaza. We share the broadly held public sentiment that it is unacceptable to merely return to the status quo – in which Israel strictly limits travel in and out of the Gaza Strip, controls the supplies that come in (including a ban on most construction materials), and prohibits virtually all exports, thus crippling the economy and triggering one of the highest poverty and unemployment rates in the Arab world.

To do so would mean a return to a living death.

Unfortunately, past experience has shown that the Israeli government repeatedly reneges on promises for further negotiations, as well as on its commitments to reform.

Likewise, the international community has demonstrated no political will to enforce these pledges. Therefore, we call for a ceasefire only when negotiated conditions result in the following:

Freedom of movement of Palestinians in and out of the Gaza Strip.

Unlimited import and export of supplies and goods, including by land, sea and air.

Unrestricted use of the Gaza seaport.

Monitoring and enforcement of these agreements by a body appointed by the United Nations, with appropriate security measures.

Each of these expectations is taken for granted by most countries, and it is time for the Palestinians of Gaza to be accorded the human rights they deserve.

Signatures:

Akram Habeeb, Assistant Professor of American Literature, Islamic University of Gaza (IUG)

Mona El-Farra, Vice President and Health Chair of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society

Ramy Abdu PhD, Chairman of the Euro-mid Observer

Abdullah Alsaafin, Palestinian Writer/journalist

Ali Alnazli, Businessman

Adel Awadallah, Head of the Scientific Research Council

Hanine Hassan, Graduate Research Assistant

Sheren Awad, Journalist

Yahia Al-Sarraj, Associate Professor of Transportation, IUG

Tawfik Abu Shomar, Writer and political analyst

Hasan Owda, Businessman

Ibrahim AlYazji, Businessman

Walid Al Husari, Chair, Gaza Chamber of Commerce

Nael Almasri, Dentist

Wael El-Mabhouh, Political researcher

Rami Jundi, Political researcher

Ashraf Mashharawi, Filmmaker

Mohammad Alsawaf, Journalist

Hasan Abdo, Writer and political analyst

Kamal El Shaer, Political researcher

Omar Ferwana, Dean of Medicine Faculty, IUG

Iyad I. Al-Qarra, Journalist, Palestine newspaper

Musheir El-Farra, Palestinian activist and author

Khalil Namrouti, Associate Professor in Economics, IUG

Moein Rajab, Professor in Economics, Al-Azhar University - Gaza

Basil Nasser, Planning advisor

Hani Albasoos, Associate Professor in Political Science, IUG

Arafat Hilles, Assistant Professor, Al-Quds Open University

Imad Falouji, Head of Adam Center for Dialogue of Civilizations

Moin Naim, Writer and political analyst

Yousri Alghoul, Author

Mohammad Jayyab, Editor of Gaza Journal of Economics

Mousa Lubbad, Lecturer in Finance, Al-Aqsa University

Iskandar Nashwan, Assistant Professor in Accounting, Al-Aqsa University

Shadi AlBarqouni, Graduate Research Assistant

Adnan Abu Amer, Head of Political Department, Al-Umma University

Wael Al Sarraj, Assistant Professor in Computer Science, IUG

Said Namrouti, Lecturer in Human Resource Management, IUG

Khaled Al-Hallaq, Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering, IUG

Asad Asad, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs, IUG

Hazem Alhusari, Lecturer in Finance, Al-Aqsa University

Shadi AlBarqouni, Graduate Research Assistant

Deya’a Kahlout, Journalist, Al-Araby newspaper

Raed Salha, Assistant Professor in Geography, IUG

Sameeh Alhadad, Businessman

Tarek M. Eslim, CEO, Altariq Systems and Projects

Sami Almalfouh PhD, Senior engineer

Fayed Abushammalah, Journalist

Fadel Naeim, Chairman of Palestine Physicians Syndicate

Zeyad Al-Sahhar, Associate Professor in Physics , Al-Aqsa University

Iyad Abu Hjayer, Director, Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution

Wael Al-Daya, Associate Professor in Finance, IUG

Younis Eljarou, Head of the Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip

Donia ElAmal Ismail, Head of the Creative Women Association

Zeinab Alghonemi, Head of Women for Legal Consulting Association

Amjad AlShawa, Palestinian Nongovernmental Organizations Network (PNGO)

Mohsen Abo Ramadan, Head of Palestinian Nongovernmental Organziations Network (PNGO)

Abed Alhameed Mortaja, Assistant Professor of Linguistics, IUG

Talal Abo Shawesh , Head of Afaq Jadeeda Association

Zohair Barzaq, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip

Marwan Alsabh, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip

Ghassan Matar, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip

Rania Lozon, Writer

Ashraf Saqer, IT Specialist

Samir AlMishal, Mishal Cultural Centre

Jamila Sarhan, Independant Commission for Human Rights

Jalal Arafat, Union of Agricultrual Work Committees

Khalil Abu Shammala, Aldameer Association for Human Rights

Jamila Dalloul, Association Head of Jothor ElZaiton

Maha Abo Zour, Psychologist

Psychologist Ferdous Alkatari

Yousef Awadallah, Health Work Committee

Yousef Alswaiti, Al-Awda Hospital Director

Taysir Alsoltan, Head of Health Work Committees

Taghreed Jomaa, Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees

Imad Ifranji, Journalist, Alquds TV

Jehal Alaklouk, Activist

Adel Alborbar, Boycott Committee

Hatem AbuShaban, Board of Trustees of Al-Azhar University - Gaza

Saleh Zaqout, Secretary of the Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip

Mohammed Alsaqqa, Lawyer

Nihad Alsheikh Khalil, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, IUG

Mohsen Alafranji, Lecturer at Media Department, IUG

Nedal Farid, Dean of Business Faculty, Al-Aqsa University

Salem Helles, Dean of Commerce Faculty, IUG

Ahmad Ali PhD, Economic Analysis

Raed M. Zourob PhD, Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health

Mosheer Amer, Professor of Lingusitics, IUG

Moheeb Abu Alqumboz, Lecturer

Fatma Mukhalalati, Supreme Court judge

Fahmi Alnajjar, Supreme Court judge