Palestine/Israel

Carter calls for end to blockade

Article published on the 2009-06-16 Latest update 2009-06-16 14:36 TU

Former US President Jimmy Carter with senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on June 16, 2009.
(Photo: Reuters/Suhaib Salem)

Former US president Jimmy Carter said on Tuesday that Palestinians are being treated like “animals” because of Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Carter was speaking after a one-day visit to the Gaza Strip, during which he met Hamas leader Ismail Haniya.

"My primary feeling today is one of grief and despair and an element of anger when I see the destruction perpetrated against innocent people,” he said.

"Tragically, the international community too often ignores the cries for help and the citizens of Palestine are treated more like animals than like human beings," he said.

"The starving of 1.5 million human beings of the necessities of life - never before in history has a large community like this been savaged by bombs and missiles and then denied the means to repair itself."

Carter also denounced rocket launches into Israel from Gaza and called for the end of “all violence” against both Israelis and Palestinians.

He was also expected to hand over a letter from the parents of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who remains in captivity after being seized by Gaza militants almost three years ago.