Brussels, 21/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - Israel has the right to defend its citizens and to respond to Palestinian rocket fire on its territory, but its decision to close all crossing points into the Gaza Strip and to cut the energy supply to the territory threatens to further aggravate an already dire humanitarian situation, said External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner on Monday 21 January, and she called for an “immediate ceasefire”. “I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza,” Ferrero-Waldner said, calling on the Israeli authorities to restart fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip and to re-open crossing points for humanitarian and trade supplies. “Neither the blockade nor the recent military strikes are able to prevent the rocket attacks. Only a credible political agreement this year, as foreseen at Annapolis, can turn Palestinians away from violence. That is why we must support Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas in their current efforts,” she said. (H.B.)