CMEP affirms statement by Israeli Civil Society groups calling for ceasefire and entry of aid into Gaza

Source: CMEP

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has expressed its full support for the recent statement issued by Israeli human rights organizations calling for the immediate and unconditional end to Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza.

CMEP stated yesterday: 'Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to allow "basic amounts of food" into Gaza resulted in only five aid trucks entering the besieged territory on the first day, Monday, May 19, 2025. While this guesture has been cited as a measure of relief, this token action falls woefully short amid the spiraling famine and widespread nutritional deficiencies facing the vast majority of Gaza's population.

'CMEP calls on the US government and the international community to exert urgent and sustained pressure on the Israeli government to end its policy of starvation and to immediately open all crossings for the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid. We reject the US-Israeli proposal to oversee limited aid distribution, as it fundamentally fails to meet the scale of need and does not adhere to internationally recognized humanitarian principles. The time for partial solutions has long passed-comprehensive, unimpeded aid access is both a moral and legal imperative.'

The full statement by Israeli Civil Society Groups can be read below:

During the past several days, Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza, following more than ten weeks during which it blocked all entry of aid and other goods to the Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement last night that Israel will allow entry of "a basic amount of food for the population" in order to continue the war demonstrates that Israel has no intention to stop its unlawful use of aid as a lever of political pressure.

Every day, the Israeli army is killing and injuring hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza. All residents of the Strip are at risk of famine, while the healthcare system is collapsing due to severe shortages of medicine, medical equipment, and fuel. Israel is deliberately inflicting conditions that make life impossible in Gaza, with the declared goal of carrying out ethnic cleansing.

Israel must stop the attacks and allow immediate entry of aid!

The plan being formulated by the US and Israel for distribution of goods does not meet gaping humanitarian needs created by the blockade and widespread attacks. The UN and other international humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza have categorically rejected the plan on the grounds that it does not adhere to basic humanitarian principles.

Israel has openly declared that the plan aims to advance its goals of expanding its physical presence in Gaza and forcibly transferring the civilian population. Israel's commission of war crimes, which could also amount to crimes against humanity, must not be met with continued silence and inaction by the international community.

We call again for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. Simultaneously, Israel must immediately stop its attacks, cease its policy of starvation, open the crossings for entry of aid to Gaza, and allow aid organizations in the Strip to carry out their work.

Signed by:

Academia for Equality, Akevot, B'Tselem, Bimkom, Breaking the Silence, Culture of Solidarity, Combatants for Peace, Emek Shaveh, Gisha, HaMoked - Center for the Defence of the Individual, Ir Amim, Isha L'Isha, Itach Ma'aki, Jahalin Solidarity, Jordan Valley Activists, Looking the Occupation in the Eye, Machsom Watch, Mizrahi Civic Collective, Mothers Against Violence, Neve Shalom, Other Voice, Osot Democratia, Oz VeShalom, Policy Working Group, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, PsychoActive, Rabbis for Human Rights, The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, The Parents Circle - Families Forum, The School for Peace in Wahat al-Salam Neve Shalom, This is Not an Ulpan, Yesh Din, Your Neighbor As Yourself, Zazim