GAZA RED ALERT

Gaza’s southern border has broken open, 350,000 Palestinians are crossing it and Israeli retaliation is expected. The world must step in urgently to prevent an explosion – so let's call on the United Nations, European Union and Arab League to oversee the opening of borders, and to help broker the ceasefire which civilians on all sides desperately need. Please click below to sign the emergency petition -- we'll deliver it when we reach 150,000 signatures -- sign now and forward this email to your friends and family:

The months-old border blockade of Gaza by Israel has finally hit crisis point. This week's blackouts caught the attention of the world, now the situation is slipping out of control -- militants have blown open Gaza's southern border with Egypt and Israel could act by force to close it.

Sign the petition calling on the international community to help end the blockade and reach a ceasefire: http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/98.php?cl_tf_sign=1

The world can stop this crisis, and help save civilians on all sides. This isn't about taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: it's about 1.5 million human beings locked up in the biggest prison on earth. The blockade must be lifted and the border opened properly, with international controls to prevent weapons smuggling. The missile war between Israel and Gaza can only be stopped by a reciprocal ceasefire that Hamas stands ready to negotiate.

While Israel and the US remain committed to the failing siege, the UN, European Union and Arab League could step in to end this blockade, oversee open borders, and help broker the ceasefire which civilians on all sides desperately need -- so sign the petition and spread the word:

Sign the petition calling on the international community to help end the blockade and reach a ceasefire: http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/98.php?cl_tf_sign=1

The humanitarian crisis of Gaza is only getting worse, as patients die in hospitals for lack of care, and clean drinking water runs low. Palestinian militants are still launching missiles at the Israeli town of Sderot, and Israeli missiles claimed 35 Palestinian lives last week -- many of them civilian.

No genuine peace talks will be possible while this crisis continues. In the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006, we saw how global pressure and assistance can stop such a crisis and protect civilians from harm -- we cannot stay silent about the crisis in Gaza. Please add your name now at the link above, and forward this message widely.

Sign the petition calling on the international community to help end the blockade and reach a ceasefire: http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/98.php?cl_tf_sign=1

With hope and determination,

Ricken, Paul, Galit, Esra’a, Pascal, Ben and the whole Avaaz team