[Chapter-delegates] Internet Shutdown in Gaza

Wed Nov 8 03:08:40 PST 2023

Hi everybody,

Last year the whole  technical and internet  community managed the 
internet infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia despite the  Ukraine 
requests to delete all .rs domains and allocated IP numbers from RIPE  
to thiis domain to stay without any changes. ISOC, RIPE,ICANN and other 
organisation that have been asked to delete/remove the IP numbers and 
.rs domains refused to do so and the technical  infrastructure stayed as 
it was. A letter that asked to protect the current technical 
infrastructure  based on the requests from all worldwide organizations 
was sent by the ISOC president to the USA president, Joe Biden.
The internet infrastructure is a technical infrastructure and should 
stay working even in a war situation and should not be a subject of any 
politics as "internet is for everyone". So, everything should be done 
for recovering the internet in Gaza. Access to internet is classified in 
UN as a human right.   The world should be informed what is happening in 
Gaza.

For ISOC Slovenia

Borka Jerman Blažič

Zaher Qassrawi via Chapter-delegates je 8. 11. 2023 ob 10:38 napisal:
>
> *Internet Shutdown in Gaza*
>
> **
>
> Internet Society – Palestine Chapter would like to draw your attention 
> to the ongoing internet shutdown in Gaza, regularly imposed by the 
> Israeli government, and the profound effects it is having on the lives 
> of the people in the region. It is time to highlight what the United 
> Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated in March 2023: that 
> it is essential to reinforce universal access to the internet as a 
> human right, and not just a privilege.
>
> This internet shutdown has serious implications for basic human 
> rights, safety, and the livelihoods of the residents of Gaza. The 
> decision to shut down the internet in Gaza has created a significant 
> disruption in the daily lives of the people living there. The internet 
> is an essential tool for communication, especially in these 
> challenging times, and for accessing vital information. With its 
> sudden absence, many aspects of daily life have been severely impacted 
> during times of conflict:
>
> 1. *Healthcare*: In times of crisis, being online is of paramount 
> importance as it serves as a lifeline connecting individuals to 
> essential services like healthcare and emergency response teams. 
> Access to the internet enables people to quickly reach out to medical 
> professionals for vital health advice, especially when seconds can 
> make a difference in emergencies. Additionally, being online allows 
> individuals to report their location, enabling ambulances and first 
> responders to reach them swiftly, potentially saving lives. In 
> situations where every moment counts, the internet serves as a crucial 
> tool to bridge the gap between those in distress and the assistance 
> they urgently require. The internet shutdown has hindered access to 
> medical advice and healthcare information, potentially putting lives 
> at risk. Dr. Duaa Abu Shakra was a real-life example of such a need 
> when she sent a message from the ruins of her destroyed house for 
> help. This message allowed first responders to reach her and save her 
> life along with her family.
>
> 2. *Communication*: The ability to communicate with loved ones, access 
> critical information, and maintain contact with the outside world is 
> now severely limited. Families are struggling to connect with each 
> other, and many are left in the dark about the safety and well-being 
> of their relatives in other parts of the world.
>
> 3. *Information Flow*: Access to accurate and timely information is 
> crucial, particularly in times of crisis. The internet shutdown limits 
> the ability of the people in Gaza to stay informed about the evolving 
> situation, which can have serious implications for their safety and 
> well-being. This raises concerns about the Israeli government's 
> willingness to conceal what happened in Gaza without any witnesses.
>
> We call upon the international community to urge the Israeli 
> government to reconsider the internet shutdown in Gaza and to find 
> alternative means to address their concerns while ensuring that the 
> basic human rights and needs of the people in the region are met. It 
> is essential to remember that a thriving and connected community is 
> more likely to contribute to peace and stability in the region.
>
> We urge the international community to closely monitor the situation 
> and work towards a resolution that respects the rights and well-being 
> of all individuals affected by this internet shutdown.
>
> *Internet Society*
>
> *Palestine Chapter*
>
> https://isoc.ps/?p=582
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Prof.dr.Borka Jerman-Blažič Ex-Head, Laboratory for Open systems and 
Networks Jožef Stefan Institute and Faculty of Economics, Ljubljana 
University Slovenia tel. +386 1 477 3408 tel. +386 1 477 3756 mob. +386 
41 678 410
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