UN official: Gaza border situation intolerable

[ProgressiveMuslim]

UN official urges Israel to 'abide by its obligations,' adds rocket attacks must end
Reuters

The situation at the borders between Israel and the Gaza Strip is "intolerable" and restrictions on imports into the Palestinian territory must be eased, a top UN official said on Wednesday.


"The intolerable situation at Gaza's crossings remains the key impediment to bringing help - and hope - to the people of Gaza," UN Under-Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe told the UN Security Council during a monthly debate on the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.


Earlier this week, outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Western donors that Israel would lift restrictions on food supplies entering Gaza after a row with Washington over blocked convoys of macaroni and cheese.

But Pascoe, a former US diplomat, told council members that while there has been an increase in the amount of goods allowed into the Gaza Strip, "the quality and quantity of imports are insufficient."


He said the United Nations urged Israel "to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and open crossings for emergency supplies and construction materials, without which there will be no way to rebuild Gaza."

'Rocket attacks must cease'
Pascoe says it has opened Gaza's border to larger amounts of food and medicine since its December-January offensive against Hamas.



In addition to restrictions on what it deems luxury goods, such as cigarettes and chocolates, Israel has blocked entry of materials such as cement and steel for rebuilding because it says they could be used for bunkers and rearming.

http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3692312,00.html

[scarletwoman]

1. "Israel has blocked entry of materials such as cement and steel for rebuilding because it says

they could be used for bunkers and rearming."

Obviously they should be restricting food, too, since it might feed kids who grow up to be militants.

(I'm assuming I don't need the sarcasm tag)
sw

[bemildred]

2. There is no real connection between the rocket attacks and food.

Food does not cause or increase the rockets attacks, and witholding food or other necessities of life does not diminish them. So witholding food or other necessities of life just makes you look bad, and stupid.

One could say the same thing, in the same form, about military interventions, as recent history clearly shows.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

3. Perhaps the logic is: food nourishes the bodies of the resistance? No food, no resistance? nt

[bemildred]

5. Logic, smogic. Take a look around, is that how it has worked?

No, nothing like that has occurred.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

7. Well, if the ultimate goal is to destroy an civilian society, then their actions make sense. nt

[bemildred]

8. But it has hardly ended the resistance.

Destroying civilian society is not a good way to end the resistance either.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

9. I should clarify.... in truth I think Israel would *hate* to see the resistance end.

[bemildred]

11. Good point. nt

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. I'm sure if the UN said "Zionists are jerks" there would be 200 posts here. nt

[geek tragedy]

6. Anyone who values Palestinians' human rights must hate Jews.

Just trying to follow the logic of the Israel-Firsters in here.

[excess_3]

10. Gazans are starving, children are starving

puppies and kittens are starving

yeah, whatever.

some people believe anything Hamas writes

[azurnoir]

12. Well it's only intolerable for the people of Gaza

and it's not as though that means much :sarcasm: