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Thursday, February 16, 2012

The lies of a "human rights" organization

From the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights:
On Tuesday 14 February 2012, the Gaza Strip’s electric power plant announced that it was ceasing operation because it had run out of fuel supplies. This shortfall is a result of the Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF) continued suspension of delivery of industrial fuel and the simultaneous halt in the supply of fuel from the smuggling tunnels.

The electricity cuts have exacerbated Gaza’s already-deteriorated humanitarian conditions and human rights situation. The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the Israeli siege on Gaza, which aims to keep the Strip on the edge of humanitarian catastrophe. The electricity cuts have an effect on the supply of food and medicine. Therefore, Al Mezan calls on the international community to ensure the necessary supply of industrial fuel. It also calls on the international community to work without delay for an end to the Israeli siege.

According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, the interruption in the supply of industrial fuel has brought to a halt the operation of the only electrical power plant in Gaza, resulting in an electrical supply lasting only eight out of 24 hours. The plant needs between 350,000 and 400,000 liters of fuel daily. Due to the ongoing shortfall in the amount of fuel provided by the IOF and Israel’s imposition of restrictions and impediments on the entry of fuel, the Gazan government resorts to importation of fuel from Egypt via smuggling tunnels. These supplies help keep the electricity running.
Slightly modified Al Mezan logo
As I have documented, the IDF is ready and willing to provide fuel for Gaza. It is Hamas that refuses to receive it, and it is Hamas that decided to switch from reliable Israeli supplies of diesel to getting fuel through smuggling tunnels.

Al Mezan is lying. It has no ability to report about Israel at all in an unbiased manner. Even worse, it is apparently afraid to lay the blame on the crisis where it belongs - directly at Hamas.

Yet, as a "human rights" NGO, Al Mezan data is cited in UN publications. It has partnered with Amnesty International, with Physicians for Human Rights -Israel as well as many other NGOs. They believe it uncritically - even though this is hardly the first time it has released a press release filled with lies.

Who is demanding accountability from the all-powerful and respected "human rights" NGOs? (Besides NGO Monitor, which is heavily criticized for doing exactly what the media is supposed to be doing.)