Ref: 91/2012

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) hosts a 21-member solidarity delegation, representing different sectors of the civil society organizations, from United States of America.  The delegation includes the family of the international solidarity movement activist, Rachel Corrie, who was killed on 16 March 2003, when an Israeli bulldozer drove over her while protesting against the demolition of houses in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.

PCHR scheduled several activities for the delegation that will stay in Gaza for a week.  They will meet with the Director of UNRWA Operations in the Gaza Strip; Dr. Ahmed Bahar, Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC); representatives of political parties and civil society organizations; additionally they will also meet figures from the health, education, agriculture, and economic sectors. Their visit aims at briefing them on the disastrous impacts of the latest Israeli offensive and the continuous closure imposed on the Gaza Strip concerning these sectors. The American delegation's activities also include field visits to areas that sustained damages in the Gaza Strip during the latest Israeli offensive, where they will meet owners of demolished houses, farmers whose farms were bulldozed, fishermen, and destroyed institutions.

The delegation arrived in Gaza on Monday, 05 October 2012, via Rafah International Crossing Point. They were received and welcomed by Mr. Jaber Weshah, PCHR's Deputy Director, Mr. Khalil Shaheen, Director of PCHR's Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit, Mr. Abdul Halim Abu Samra, Public Relations in Khan Yunis. They thanked the delegation for exerting the efforts to come to Gaza and for being in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Further, they explained in detail the human rights situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of Palestinians due to the continuous closure and Israel’s offensive on the strip.