The meeting addressed aspects of joint coordination between PCHR and OCHA and explored prospects for future cooperation.  During the meeting, al-Sourani acknowledged the excellent work that OCHA carries out and its important role in improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

During the meeting, the issue of the Israeli closure of the Gaza Strip and its major impacts on the lives of civilians was discussed; in particular, the participants discussed the danger that the international community is contributing to the institutionalization of the closure.  Al-Sourani emphasized the need to think of creative ways to break the siege and ensure that the challenges and obstacles faced by the people of the Gaza Strip due to the closure are overcome.

Al-Sourani and Singam discussed the recent report by the United Nations Country Team in the occupied Palestinian territory, ‘Gaza in 2020: A liveable place?’, which highlights the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.  They also considered the possible means of utilizing the report, in order to raise awareness of the gravity of the current situation in Gaza.

Al-Sourani called on OCHA officials to engage with the 2 Palestinian governments in Gaza and Ramallah and raise the issue of transparency and accountability in relation to economic matters.

Earlier in the week, al-Sourani met with the internationally-renowned thinker Noam Chomsky several times over the course of his visit to the Gaza Strip, which took place from 18-22 October 2012.

Al-Sourani expressed his appreciation for Chomsky’s visit to the Gaza Strip, during which Chomsky condemned the Israeli closure and the war crimes and human rights violations practiced by the Israel against civilians.

It had been scheduled for al-Sourani to meet with Chomsky in New York during the fourth session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine; however, al-Sourani could not participate due to visa issues.

At the beginning of October, al-Soutani received a delegation from the Church of Scotland.  The delegation of 5 members, who were on a visit organized by the Church and Society Council, participated in a lengthy discussion with al-Sourani at PCHR’s head office in Gaza City. 

During the meeting, they discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip and recent developments in human rights; in particular, they focused on the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and its catastrophic affects that prevent Gazans from enjoying their economic and social rights.

It should be noted that the World Council of Churches plays an important and strategic role in supporting Palestinians and is one of PCHR’s most important partners.