[Chapter-delegates] Internet Shutdown in Gaza : Request for ISOC's Position
Ahmad AlSadeh
ahmad.sadeh at gmail.com
Sun Nov 19 21:23:54 PST 2023
Dear ISOC Community, Dear Jessica,
Another example about the Internet society position was written by Andrew
Sullivan President and Chief Executive Officer on *2 March 2022*.
*"It seems that every time there is a large political event in the world,
someone calls for someone else to be excluded from the Internet. The latest
call to cut people off comes in the wake of the Russian invasion of
Ukraine."*
"*We must never waver from this vision. The Internet is for everyone.*"
https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2022/03/why-the-world-must-resist-calls-to-undermine-the-internet/
The question is raised about the lack of a similar statement in the case of
the Internet Shutdown in Gaza!
Sincerely,
Ahmad Alsadeh
ISOC Palestine Chapter
On Mon, Nov 20, 2023 at 6:44 AM Jessica Dickinson Goodman via
Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:
> Dear ISOC Community,
>
> Writing in a personal capacity. I know ISOC HQ has many excellent tech
> policy communicators and that many people on this list are globally
> recognized in this area. I wouldn't presume to wordsmith the ISOC statement
> many of us on this thread are requesting HQ release.
>
> But to support this conversation and perhaps inspire the future staff
> writers of that statement, I wanted to share 4 past examples of times when
> our shared organization has taken a strong, unequivocal stand against
> Internet shutdowns in complex situations going back 10 years. Many of you
> will be familiar with these statements, and perhaps helped craft them. I
> selected them because they echo the tone and content of the statement I
> believe many of us on this thread are calling for ISOC HQ to release. Each
> statement grew out of situations involving bloody horror and existential
> political struggles. Each statement hews closely to our organization's
> mission and focus.
>
> It is hard work to be clear in times like this, but we've done it before
> and I believe we can and we should do it again.
>
> 1. *Turn the Internet Back On in Sudan, and Keep It On
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/statements/2019/turn-the-internet-back-on-in-sudan-and-keep-it-on/>
> (June 6, 2019).*
>
> *The Internet Society is deeply concerned that the military
> transitional council of Sudan ordered the shutdown of mobile access to the
> Internet on 3 June 2019. According to Netblocks
> <https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-disrupted-in-sudan-amid-unrest-at-khartoum-sit-in-98aZoQAo>,
> Sudan’s two major mobile service providers, MTN and Mobitel (ZAIN), have
> blocked Internet services. In a country where the majority of users access
> the Internet via mobile devices
> <https://sudandigital.com/en_US/2018/03/04/state-sudan-digital-2018/>, this
> move restricts Sudanese citizens from accessing Internet services. (full
> statement here
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/statements/2019/turn-the-internet-back-on-in-sudan-and-keep-it-on/>)*
>
> *We call on the military transitional council of Sudan to restore full
> access to the Internet and to #KeepItOn.*
> 2. *Internet Society Calls on Governments to Stop Internet Shutdowns
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/statements/2017/internet-society-calls-on-governments-to-stop-internet-shutdowns/>
> (January 20, 2017)*
>
> *The Internet Society calls on all governments to stop Internet
> shutdowns. Often used in the context of elections, demonstrations or other
> tense social situations, this technical measure is rarely effective and has
> a negative impact on citizens, national and regional economies, the
> Internet’s stability and, ultimately, the country itself. Cameroon is just
> one of the most recent examples.
> <https://act.accessnow.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1921&ea.campaign.id=62870&ea.tracking.id=tile>*
>
> *The increasing number of government orders to temporarily shut down
> or restrict access to Internet services, from social media sites to entire
> network closures, is cause for deep concern. (full statement here
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/statements/2017/internet-society-calls-on-governments-to-stop-internet-shutdowns/>)*
> 3. *Internet Society Calls for Restoration of Full Internet Access in
> Turkey
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/press-releases/2014/internet-society-calls-for-restoration-of-full-internet-access-in-turkey/>
> (March 30, 2014)*
>
> *Internet Society President and CEO Kathy Brown issued the following
> statement today:*
>
> *We are deeply concerned with recent reports that the Turkish
> government is mandating curtailed access to key social media sites for
> millions of users across Turkey. Recent actions to implement the Turkish
> government’s requirement include the redirection of network routes so that
> Turkish citizens are not getting the correct information from the Domain
> Name System (DNS). They are instead being redirected to other web sites
> controlled by Turkish service providers. In addition to undermining core
> technical functions of the Internet’s architecture, such actions also
> threaten users’ fundamental human right to seek, receive, and impart
> information and ideas across frontiers. (full statement here
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/press-releases/2014/internet-society-calls-for-restoration-of-full-internet-access-in-turkey/>)*
> 4. *The Internet Society on Syria’s Internet Shutdown
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/press-releases/2012/the-internet-society-on-syrias-internet-shutdown/>
> (September 6, 2013)*
>
>
>
>
>
> *On behalf of Lynn St. Amour, President and CEO, and the Internet Society
> Board of Trustees: Emerging reports from various organizations and
> individuals indicate that international Internet connectivity was shut off
> in Syria today. The Internet is an open, global medium for communication,
> idea exchange, empowerment, and innovation. Access to the global Internet
> is a crucial enabler of human rights. As with previous actions to block
> Internet traffic in Egypt and Libya, the effect of cutting off Internet
> traffic – ceasing the flow of information in and out of the country – is a
> serious action. It harms not only the citizens of Syria, but also Syria’s
> economy and society at large. The Internet Society stands with other
> organizations around the world in calling for Internet access to be
> restored with all due speed and cooperation so that vital services can
> continue to function and citizens won’t be further impacted. (full
> statement here
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/press-releases/2012/the-internet-society-on-syrias-internet-shutdown/>)*
>
> *tl;dr: If ISOC HQ can stand up for Internet users in Sudan, Cameroon,
> Turkey, and Syria, I believe we should in this case as well.*
>
> On a personal note, reading back through 10+ years of press releases to
> find the above, I was particularly touched by the April 26, 2015 statement: The
> People of Nepal Need Our Help
> <https://www.internetsociety.org/news/press-releases/2015/the-people-of-nepal-need-our-help/>.
> It reminded me that we as an organization can respond quickly and well to
> major events, even those which are violent and pain-filled, when they
> intersect clearly with our mission. As this issue does.
>
> Thank you all for your time and commitment to Internet access for all
> people, in all places, even and *especially* in times of conflict.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> *Jessica Dickinson Goodman*
> Board President
> Internet Society: San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 19, 2023 at 5:13 PM Mike Godwin via Chapter-delegates <
> chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:
>
>> I'm sure Dr. Wiener did not mean to suggest that we here are unaware of
>> what Hamas has done, or to suggest that those who disagree with him are
>> unaware of what counts as "collateral damage."
>>
>> Given the unimaginable anguish of so many victims and their families, I'm
>> similarly certain that he did not mean to include the word "simplistically"
>> in such a categorical way regarding those who disagree on whether Internet
>> Society should speak publicly on an immediate question of internet
>> shutdowns. History suggests (to me at least) that expressing principled
>> support of a precise, relevant statement regarding a particular internet
>> shutdown--regardless of the intentions of those who implement it--is
>> something we shouldn't be timid about.
>>
>> In this regard, I also find it is helpful to consider "the principle of
>> charity" before posting in response to comments regarding a highly painful
>> and emotionally fraught question, as this issue necessarily has been.
>> Today, for example, I consulted this helpful Wikipedia entry before
>> choosing to respond with this message. See
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_charity for my reference.
>>
>> I hope this response reads as civil and respectful, and I apologize in
>> advance if it does not, despite my efforts. In any case, I likely have
>> nothing further to add here and so will remain silent on this going forward.
>>
>> I thank you all for your patience, and, regardless of what ISOC does, let
>> us continue to find common ground in favor of peace and against the
>> destruction and torment of innocents.
>>
>> Mike Godwin
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 19, 2023 at 2:22 PM Asaf Wiener via Chapter-delegates <
>> chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear ISOC community and Chapter Delegates,
>>>
>>> As we extend our deepest sympathies to all innocent civilians affected,
>>> we urge the ISOC community and Chapter Delegates to approach this issue
>>> with a heightened sense of responsibility and discernment
>>>
>>> ISOC's Shutdown-Statement
>>> <https://pulse.internetsociety.org/shutdown-statement> and Policy
>>> Briefings
>>> <https://www.internetsociety.org/policybriefs/internet-shutdowns/>
>>> define Internet Shutdown as a "disproportional reaction that often only
>>> hides – instead of solving – a perceived problem, and can result in
>>> significant collateral damage". The horrors that Hamas unleashed on
>>> October 7 surpass anything Israel and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have
>>> ever seen. In only one day, with remarkable organization and precision,
>>> Hamas and Palestinian militants from Gaza slaughtered, raped, and
>>> mutilated
>>> <https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/10/30/morgue-burial-israel-hamas-attack-pkg-sidner-lead-vpx.cnn>
>>> at least 1,200 people (including women, babies and the elderly), severely
>>> injured over 4,500, and abducted more than 240 hostages
>>> <https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bynldsc11p>, almost all of them
>>> civilians, including people with disabilities, chronic diseases,
>>> children, grandparents and even a 9-month-old baby
>>> <https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/09/world/middleeast/hamas-hostages-israel-gaza.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare>
>>> .
>>>
>>> With this context in mind, the professional community and the Internet
>>> Society cannot simplistically address the Gaza Internet disruptions as an
>>> “Internet Shutdown”, which fails to capture the full scope of the crisis,
>>> both in factual accuracy and in acknowledging the depth of the humanitarian
>>> impacts which are far beyond Internet access issues. As a matter of
>>> facts, recent data
>>> <https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/region/1226?from=1695999414&until=1699973814>
>>> shows only temporary disruptions, in parallel to the ongoing physical
>>> warfare to retrieve the hundreds of hostages taken from Israel to Gaza
>>> which are still completely cut off from the Red Cross
>>> <https://www.who.int/news/item/25-10-2023-who-calls-for-immediate-release--access-to--and-medical-support-for-hostages-taken-by-hamas>
>>> .
>>>
>>> Sincerely, and with hope for better days for all in our troubled region,
>>>
>>> ISOC-IL Team
>>>
>>> (More information for the International Internet community is available
>>> here <https://en.isoc.org.il/about/news-room>)
>>>
>>>
>>> בתאריך יום א׳, 19 בנוב׳ 2023 ב-19:59 מאת Nazar Nicholas via
>>> Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>:
>>>
>>>> Dear Mike,
>>>>
>>>> The position of ISOC on Internet about shutdowns or restrictions is
>>>> known BUT in thing as big as Israel- Hamas war where ordinary people in
>>>> Gaza are caught in the conflict; I really MUST invite ISOC to release a
>>>> statement of condemnation to reinforce its stand on Internet shutdowns or
>>>> restrictions.
>>>>
>>>> Nazarius aka Nazar
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, 19 Nov 2023 at 18:48 Mike Godwin via Chapter-delegates <
>>>> chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> ISOC already has taken a position against internet shutdowns, and in
>>>>> support of internet access as a basic necessity and right--see, e.g.,
>>>>> https://www.internetsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ISOC-PolicyBrief-Shutdowns-2019.pdf
>>>>> .
>>>>>
>>>>> My personal view is that it is both (a) consistent with ISOC's
>>>>> longstanding positions and (b) necessary for humanitarian reasons that ISOC
>>>>> take note of and condemn the targeting of infrastructure that has led to
>>>>> shutdown of internet access in Gaza.
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike Godwin
>>>>> Member, Chapter Council, ISOC-DC
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, Nov 19, 2023 at 9:53 AM Johan Helsingius via Chapter-delegates
>>>>> <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Dear ISOC Palestine,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I agree that the ISOC community should clearly condemn the use of
>>>>>> the internet as a war tool. In this specific case I still have to
>>>>>> ask if we have sufficient evidence that the Internet outages are
>>>>>> a result of deliberate shutdowns rather than collateral damage
>>>>>> from general actions of war.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Julf
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 19/11/2023 10:11, ISOC Palestine via Chapter-delegates wrote:
>>>>>> > Dear ISOC community,
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > This past weekend, the internet in Gaza was completely
>>>>>> disconnected,
>>>>>> > impacting all communication services for two days. This
>>>>>> disconnection
>>>>>> > has serious implications for basic human rights, safety, and the
>>>>>> > livelihoods of Gaza residents. This marks the fourth internet
>>>>>> shutdown
>>>>>> > in the last 40 days, attributed to three main reasons:
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. Destruction of over 70% of communication infrastructure due to
>>>>>> > bombings by the Airforce and tanks.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 2. Prevention of the entry of any diesel, leading to no electricity
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> > power sources for essential communication services.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 3. A political decision from Israeli officials, who control the
>>>>>> > international gateway of Palestine.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > *In the last 40 days, the ISOC community's position does not meet
>>>>>> what
>>>>>> > is expected regarding this intentional shutdown, which violates the
>>>>>> ISOC
>>>>>> > objectives and vision. We urge.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > On the other side, we are surprised to observe that some ISOC
>>>>>> members
>>>>>> > and chapters support this internet shutdown and promote it on their
>>>>>> > official websites.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > Please note that we do not want to discuss the political issues
>>>>>> behind
>>>>>> > this conflict, which started 75 years ago, as this is not a
>>>>>> political
>>>>>> > platform.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > *Internet Society *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > *Palestine Chapter*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > _______________________________________________
>>>>>> > As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically
>>>>>> subscribed
>>>>>> > to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet
>>>>>> Society Chapter Portal (AMS):
>>>>>> > https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
>>>>>> > View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:
>>>>>> https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically
>>>>>> subscribed
>>>>>> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet
>>>>>> Society Chapter Portal (AMS):
>>>>>> https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
>>>>>> View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:
>>>>>> https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
>>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
>>>>> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet
>>>>> Society Chapter Portal (AMS):
>>>>> https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
>>>>> View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:
>>>>> https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
>>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> *Nazar Nicholas Kirama*
>>>> President& Chief Executive Officer
>>>> Internet Society Tanzania Chapter (ISOC-Tz)
>>>> *...................................................................*
>>>> *National Coordinator *
>>>> *Tanzania Internet Governance Forum (TzIGF)*
>>>> *......................................*
>>>> *"Internet i**s for Everyone"*
>>>>
>>>> ICT Consultant & Trainer
>>>> IEEE Member#96674695
>>>> Certified Business Coach (ICF)
>>>>
>>>> T:+255 784 220 877 | +255 748 282 888
>>>> E:nnicholaski at gmail.com <E%3Annicholaski at gmail.com>
>>>>
>>>> *Professional Affiliations: **||IEEE: Membership#96674695**||ICANN||
>>>> Web Foundation|| IGF|| Article 19Foundation||**Entrepreneurs Wealth
>>>> Academy|| Tanzania Federation of Green Revolution|| AFRINIC Advocate*
>>>> ______________________________________________
>>>> *Clubs/Associations Affiliation: Founder Member of Roots&Shoots-**The
>>>> Dr. Jane Goodall's Global Youth Program, **member @PMA,IMA WSPCA,
>>>> WCST, **The Internet Society**,**International Coaching Federation.*
>>>> ______________________________________
>>>> *Joshua1:8 @**Haggai 2:8 **@Deuteronomy 8:17-18*
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
>>>> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
>>>> Chapter Portal (AMS):
>>>> https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
>>>> View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:
>>>> https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> *ד"ר אסף וינר | סמנכ"ל רגולציה ומדיניות | איגוד האינטרנט הישראלי*
>>> * Dr. Asaf Wiener** | VP Regulation & Policy** | *
>>> *Israel Internet Association ISOC-IL*
>>> *טל': 03-9700900 | **Tel: +972-3-9700900*
>>> 📧 *הירשמו לרשימות התפוצה המקצועיות שלנו
>>> <https://www.isoc.org.il/newsletter-updates>*
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
>>> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
>>> Chapter Portal (AMS):
>>> https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
>>> View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:
>>> https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
>> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
>> Chapter Portal (AMS):
>> https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
>> View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:
>> https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
>>
> _______________________________________________
> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
> Chapter Portal (AMS):
> https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
> View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:
> https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
>
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