This zoo, located in the Zeytoun district just south of Gaza City, was almost totally and deliberately destroyed by the Israelis when they entered the Strip in December 2008. Most of the animals in that zoo had been shot at point blank range - from pregnant camels to rare monkeys and ostriches. Out of a total of more than 400 birds and animals in this once popular zoo, only 10 survived including 2 lions who managed instinctively to escape and hide in a nearby office building.
In peace time, which is a rarity in the Gaza Strip, this zoo attracted over a 1000 visitors a day, mainly families with little children. Now the zoo lies in ruins with its owner left on his own to launch a claim for compensation against Israel and its juggernaut of legal and administrative red tape. His few animals which survived the Israeli onslaught are left to starve just like the Gazans themselves.
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,
One of the most tragic side shows played in the Gaza Strip theatre of war is the destruction of the Gaza Zoo.
The devastating military campaign launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip in December 2008-January 2009 was publicized by the few courageous journalists who happened to be trapped inside the Strip when Operation Cast Lead was launched.
Equally tragic is the lack of attention in these reports to the destruction of a popular zoo in the Strip: The Gaza Zoo. This zoo, located in the Zeytoun district just south of Gaza City, was almost totally and deliberately destroyed by the Israelis when they entered the Strip in December 2008. Most of the animals in that zoo had been shot at point blank range - from pregnant camels to rare monkeys and ostriches. Out of a total of more than 400 birds and animals in this once popular zoo, only 10 survived including 2 lions who managed instinctively to escape and hide in a nearby office building.
In peace time, which is a rarity in the Gaza Strip, this zoo attracted over a 1000 visitors a day, mainly families with little children. Now the zoo lies in ruins with its owner left on his own to launch a claim for compensation against Israel and its juggernaut of legal and administrative red tape. His few animals which survived the Israeli onslaught are left to starve just like the Gazans themselves.
I respectfully request that you rebuild the Gaza Zoo, restock it with the animals killed by the IDF, and ensure that in future animals are not harmed during IDF operations into Gaza.
We the undersigned
