Gaza: A storm approaches

After Israel has maintained the blockade of the Gaza strip by force, the unstable situation in the Middle East is threatening to escalate further. «We can see a storm approaching», says Barbara-Schmid-Federer. The CVP (Swiss Christian Democratic People’s Party) National Council is Vice-Chairwoman of Children’s Relief Bethlehem. This agency has been active in the region for nearly 60 years with the Baby Hospital Bethlehem and also supports humanitarian projects in the Gaza strip. Children’s Relief Bethlehem has often witnessed situations where the conflict was brought to a head. However, the latest military blow reflects the extreme tension that has been growing over the past months.

«At this moment the speed of the vicious circle of violence and counter-violence in the Middle East becomes clear», explains Ms Schmid-Federer. She draws attention to the fact that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip and in the West Bank has been very difficult and exceedingly precarious for many years. Aid agencies such as Children’s Relief Bethlehem had to dedicate constantly increasing amounts of energy to keep up their humanitarian services.

«Children and mothers are suffering from a conflict they cannot escape. We will continue to stand at their side and support them – irrespective of nationality or religion», says Schmid-Federer. Children’s Relief Bethlehem is constantly in touch with the people responsible at the Baby Hospital and with the long term project partners in the Gaza strip. The agency is already examining which measures can be prepared in order to be able to react quickly in case the situation should deteriorate. «Now it is particularly important to make a statement against the logic of violence and to be open to everybody.»