Frank Barat
13 May 2010
Dear Nick
Firstly I would like to congratulate you on your new position as deputy Prime Minister. A Tory majority in this new government does not give me much hope for the short term future, but the fact that the Lib Dems hold a few positions does.
I remember reading this very good piece in the Guardian a few months ago, written by yourself and titled “Lift the Gaza blockade“
In this article you were asking Gordon Brown and the International Community to “urgently declare that enough is enough. The blockade must end.”
I sincerely hope that now that you hold a position in the government you will pressure your peers and make sure that this illegal blockade (“collective punishment” forbidden under International Human Rights Law and the 4th Geneva Conventions) end now.
You might also be aware that the Free Gaza Movement will soon sail to Gaza to bring much needed relief and humanitarian aid to the Gazans. Israel has threatened to stop the boats from entering Gaza (even though boats will go through international waters not Israeli ones) and say that it might use force to do so. British citizen will be on the boats and will need much needed protection from their government. A letter addressed to the UK Israeli embassy asking them to let this lawful flotilla go to Gaza will therefore be much appreciated.
Sailing to Gaza and bringing cement and relief to an imprisoned population is not illegal. Stopping the boats in international waters is.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Best regards