A Palestinian boy waves a Palestinian flag as a boat carrying international activists arrives at Gaza’s seaport December 9, 2008. A boat carrying international activists docked in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after sailing from Cyprus. REUTERS/Ismail Zaydah

Washington — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) calls on the United States and the international community to take immediate action to pressure Israel to lift its blockade and to act without delay to stop the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel blockaded Gaza over a month ago and has only allowed five shipments of humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza. It seems, only enough supplies are being let into to prevent mass starvation and widespread disease, despite the facts that reports indicate the population in Gaza, the majority of whom rely on food aid to survive, is already suffering from chronic malnutrition and serious vitamin deficiencies. Serious fuel shortages have also led to widespread power cuts across Gaza City. That, in turn, has caused problems in pumping water to homes, and sewage to treatment plants. To further compound the dire situation, hospital lack medicine and supplies.

ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami said, “Today is the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the founding document of the modern human rights movement which codified the principle of basic human rights of all people. Yet today we see daily life for Palestinians is a struggle, with people unable to access food and basic necessities. This cannot be allowed to continue, we urge immediate action to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.”

According to media reports, Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, said the UN must act immediately to protect the Palestinian population suffering from “collective punishment.” Falk also indicated the International Criminal Court should investigate whether the Israeli civilian leaders and military commanders responsible for the Gaza siege should be indicted and prosecuted for crimes against humanity.

Contact your elected official today and add your voice to the growing number of Americans calling for the immediate lifting of the blockade and siege of Gaza. The following link will take you to a page where you can contact your elected officials: http://capwiz.com/adc/dbq/officials/.