Human Rights Watch (HRW) has described Israel’s siege on the Gaza Strip as part of its “crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution,” a report issued on Monday said. “Israel’s sweeping restrictions on leaving Gaza deprive its more than two million residents of opportunities to better their lives,” HRW said in the report which marked the 15th anniversary of Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave. The report added: “The closure has devastated the economy in Gaza, contributed to fragmentation of the Palestinian people, and forms part of Israeli authorities’ crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution against millions of Palestinians.” “Israel’s closure policy blocks most Gaza residents from going to the West Bank, preventing professionals, artists, athletes, students and others from pursuing opportunities within Palestine and from traveling abroad … Continue reading HRW: Israel’s siege on Gaza part of its ‘apartheid and persecution’