Al Mezan Center for Human Rights said that 80% of the fishermen in the Gaza Strip are living below the poverty line due to the Israeli violations, whether through the siege and severe restrictions and the reduction of the area of ​​fishing and targeting them by shooting towards them and sabotage fishing equipment and arrest them, or Prohibition of entry of essential goods and equipment to enable fishing
The Center stated that fishing has become a threat to the life and safety of fishermen, as well as that many fishermen suffer from extreme poverty.
From 2015 until 20 August 2019, 5 fishermen were martyred, 105 others were injured, and 374 fishermen were arrested after the Israeli occupation forces forced them to undress and swim from their boat to reach the gunboat.
The fishermen were physically and verbally assaulted during their interrogation at Ashdod port.Israeli forces seized (113) boats with their equipment during this period.The fishing nets were cut and the fishing boats and tools destroyed (55) times, according to the center.
The Center organized an event at which the fishermen presented pictures and a short video about their suffering to raise awareness about the repercussions of the Israeli restrictions on their right to work and an adequate standard of living, with the support of the European Union on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and in the presence of a delegation from the European Union and the Fishermen´s Union.
PCHR stressed that poverty is a violation of human rights and requires combating the cooperation of the responsible authorities, reiterating its demands to the Israeli occupation authorities to stop the restrictions imposed on the freedom of fishermen, and called on the Palestinian authorities to provide facilities that can have a positive impact on the lives of fishermen.
He pointed out that the fishing sector in Gaza has been deteriorating rapidly in recent years, and the situation of fishermen and their families´ economic and social conditions has seriously deteriorated, impoverishing them to become the most vulnerable and in need of protection.
Poverty is not limited to the traditional concept of measuring poverty by lack of income or resources or ensuring a sustainable source of livelihood, but also to food insecurity and malnutrition, declining access to education, health care and basic services, as well as social discrimination, social exclusion and lack of opportunities. Participation in decision-making.
Samir Zaqout, deputy director of the Al Mezan Center, said at the event that the Israeli authorities should stop imposing arbitrary restrictions on the movement of fishermen, stop arbitrary arrests and illegal use of live fire and immediately refrain from seizing, destroying and destroying fishing gear and boats.
"The international community must protect fishermen and enable them to work freely for their own economic and Palestinian economic interests," he said.
"On this day, we remind ourselves and the world that Gaza is still under complete closure and continues to suffer from ongoing violations against its people," said Thomas Niclason, acting EU representative in Jerusalem.
"There has been a deterioration in economic, social, cultural and political conditions during the years of prolonged closure, which has led to an increase in poverty and extreme poverty in Gaza," Niclason said, noting that poverty deprives Gazans of access to their basic rights and lives in dignity.
The EU remains committed to supporting Palestinians in Gaza until their human rights are respected, he said, stressing the importance of finding a political solution to reunite the West Bank and Gaza Strip and continue to build an independent Palestinian state in the future, as part of a two-state solution based on known criteria.
