Statement of John Holmes, USG for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator on the - Free Gaza - Flotilla Crisis

(New York, 31 May 2010): The ERC condemned the dreadful waste of life over a humanitarian issue, stating that such an incident should never have happened; the ERC said thar the blockade of Gaza by Israel has been unacceptable, unnecessary and counterproductive from its beginning in 2007; it has worsened conditions of life for Palestinians, deepened poverty and food insecurity, prevented reconstruction, and increased aid dependence by destroying livelihoods and economic activity. The ERC called for lifting the collective punishment of the people of Gaza once and for all.