Israel opens Gaza Strip for all non-military goods
21 June 2010
Israel's Security Cabinet has decided to relax the land blockade on the Gaza Strip. Only specific items would be forbidden to enter the Hamas-controlled territory, such as those that could be used to produce weapons, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. After a meeting with the International Quartet’s Middle East envoy Tony Blair, Netanyahu said: “Israel seeks to keep out of Gaza weapons and war-supporting materiel that Hamas uses to prepare and carry out terror and rocket attacks against Israel and its civilians. All other goods will be allowed into Gaza.” The sea blockade, however, will remain in place.
In a statement, the White House welcomed the new policy toward Gaza. "Once implemented, we believe these arrangements should significantly improve conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, while preventing the entry of weapons," the statement said, adding: "We strongly re-affirm Israel's right to self-defense, and our commitment to work with Israel and our international partners to prevent the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition into Gaza. As we approach the fourth anniversary of the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, we call again for his immediate release, and condemn the inhumane conditions of his detention."
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Stupid move. It only encourages the terrorists. The correct move is to starve gaza into submission or death until they release Gilad Shalit alive.
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vladimir, about 1 year ago
Dear friends:Blocade on Gaza has only one goal-to prevent waepons to Xamas-terrorists BANDITOS. Blocade is only LOCAL idea to stop military Xamas. What is advantages for JEWISH people to make "easy" for Xamas-Palestinians lifes? False friends of Israel is happy, except G.Shalit PARENTS. As much as minimum Israeli "diplomatic" requirements to "Peaceful Quartet and T.Blair" is to FREE G.Salit and to stop terrorism on Israel. Unfortunately to support Israeli Government "practical steps" in the real world are MORE DIFFICULT, because are a lot of "miss the mark" and repeated mistakes. The scientific idea: every actions have only 3 stages: beginning, main, final. Israel did not finish "Cast Led" in a favour of new President B.Obama. Today Israel has Headaches about Relations and Blocade....... Sincerely, Vladimir