US Pressures Israel On Gaza Blockade

Haaretz:

The United States has stepped up pressure on Israel regarding the Gaza Strip: Three weeks ago it sent Jerusalem a diplomatic note officially protesting Gaza policy and demanding a more liberal opening of the border crossings to facilitate reconstruction.

Read the whole story: Haaretz

Comments

[Taxi]

Keep misunderestimating wontcha?!

You never know:

That fly can easily be Israel.

Same size.

Same life span.

[zaz33]

Suggestion -

Have the UN pass and enforce an end to the Israeli naval blockade. I'm sure Gaza could survive very well with imports and exports by water.

Israel and Egypt would love to lose 1.5 million customers.

[coyote4]

“We tried withdrawal by agreement, withdrawal without an agreement, we tried partial withdrawal and full withdrawal.

We withdrew from the Gaza Strip to the last centimeter, we uprooted dozens of settlements and turned thousands of Israelis out of their homes. In exchange, what we received were M-I-S-S-I-L-E-S RAINING DOWN ON OUR CITIES, OUR TOWNS AND OUR CHILDREN.

The argument that withdrawal would bring peace closer did not stand up to the test of reality.

Even the moderates among the Palestinains are not ready to say the most simplest things: The State of Israel is the national homeland of the J-e-w-i-s-h People and will remain so.

We need the Palestinain leadership to rise and say, simply "We have had enough of this conflict. We recognize the right of the J-e-w-i-s-h People to a state its own in this Land. We will live side by side in true peace." I am looking forward to this moment.

Full text of Netanyahu's foreign policy speech at Bar Ilan
14/06/2009
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1092810.html

[Tuckerndfw]

The problem with your suggestion is that Palestinians do not accept the idea that Isael is a "Jewish state" since they have millions of refugees who own property there.

Property they will likely never see again, but it is still their property. Regardless how many times Israel claims otherwise.

Right of return is codified in international law. Laws that Israeli totally ignores until someone like President Obama demands they comply.

The "settlements" are likewise violations of international laws, so Israel's whining about security & rocket attacks are likewise irrelevant. What Palestinians do does not alter the fact the "settlements" and occupation of Jerusalem are a violation of international laws.

Laws Israel totally ignores.

And, then Israel whines when people point that out.

Maybe Israel should consider disbanding as a nation since they apparently cannot exist within the framework of the law.

[rblaquinta]

Its about time!!!!

[whoa20]

Why doesn't Obama call on Mahmoud Abbas to come to the peace table and actually do something about Hamas? Or does he want a street named after him on Arab Street?

[arvay]

Here's a modest proposal.

Obama sends unarmed US cargo ships, with US TV journalists aboard, to deliver food and medicine to Gaza.

Guaranteed -- no weapons, right?

And the Israelis do --- what??

[jordanispalestine]

Hopefully..asks them to leave NOW!! Then warns them to get out of Israeli waters. Then takes them out like the spy ship, St. Louis, who was spying on Israel for the Arabs!!!

[arle]

I believe the ship you're referring to was the USS Liberty, actually. If you're going to celebrate the massacre of American veterans, at least get the name right, would you?

[arvay]

If I believed in the little desert god, I'd ask him to make that happen.

The upwelling of American outrage would be wonderful.

Israel needs to learn that the puppet obeys the puppeteer, not the other way around.

[coyote4]

playing "what if" is a fantasy game. There is plenty of real world samples that could be used if only you could take the time to research b4 commenting

[arle]

You mean like the Free Gaza boats carrying US reporters and former Congressional reps? Or do you mean like the USS Liberty?

[Albert Amato]

I would like to see the release of kidnapped Gilad Shalit before any blockade lift.
They will not let the Red Cross check on him and there has been no proof of life for over a year.

[DarkSlope]

News Flash! He's probably dead. It's been 3 years and one man's life shouldn't cause the death of thousands of Palestinians and 40 Israelis. Let it go. POW are lost all the time, it's the risk you take for being a soldier in a conflict zone. Sometime you die. It's sad, and I wish it wasn't so, but soldiers die all the time.

[arle]

That would be a lie. It would also be a prime example of the attitude of collective punishment that Israel routinely indulges in. Was the IDF so concerned about Shalit when they were bombing every sort of government building, police station or prison in Gaza?

[zaz33]

There are over 10,000 Palistinians locked up in Israel, most without being charged.

I would like to see Shalit released also. But I think 10 fingernails are worth a few kidnapped Palistinians.

[CigarGod]

Israel refuses to trade jailed Palestinians for his release.

[phute]

And no plea for Pollard - come on you're slipping.

[davidwayneosedach]

Keep up the pressure Obama! Bring change to Israel and the Palestinian settlements.

[DarkSlope]

Palestinian settlements?

[Progressneeded]

Do you mean reservations, concentration camps?

[pgmark]

One of the great things about HP is they manage to pick story after story about Israel that allows it's small group of talking points apologists for all things Palistinian/Hamas.
This tiny chorus spouts the same dialogue day after day - nothing fresh - no understanding of the other side.
It is all Israel's fault no matter the topic
Suicide bombers - Israel forced our hand
Wars against Israel - The Jews should not have been there to begin with
Captured land from wars - They stole our land
Rockets into Israel - compared to Isreal's fire power they are nothing
Elected Hamas - If Israel was not such an aggressor Hamas would't have been elected
Innocents killed - Hamas has to hide somewhere after all you stole all our land.

I could go on and on but let me just say this that I have said over and over Israel has made mistakes.
You will HAVE NEVER nor WILL EVER admit Palistians/Hamas does anything wrong.

There can be no peace w/o compromise until you see two sides to the issues at hand -
it shows you are not willing to compromise.

Please don't give me a history lesson I have watched 60 years of it!

[jordanispalestine]

Great and truthful post! When I say these same things it never sees the light of day!!

[NedroidPrime]

Thank you for your message from AIPAC.

People on here always speak out against the violence of extremists. However, what Israel is doing is punishing the entire population for the actions of a few. You get a dozen cheap rockets fired into your territory (with no deaths, or at most 10), and you invade Gaza and kill hundreds, if not thousands of civilians.

Please save your crocodile "I'm a victim" tears. Israel has been playing that card for many years, and the world is tired of it. You talk about wanting peace and compromise, but you have the same definition of both that the NeoCons have: "Capitulate or die". That is not compromise, what Bibi said in his speech last weekend wasn't compromise.

Nobody has seen Israel actually make moves towards peace, only antagonizing for war. So take off that David nametag, Goliath

[antifluff]

I am not seeing the people here speaking out against extra eemists.
Netinyahu did a great thing: you want the land here it is: tell us we have a right to exist as you have a right to exist and you cannot have a military (that has proven to not be in the best interest of either of us). What did the Pales say: reject. They are not interested in peace. They were not interested in Israel before the semites moved back there in the forties (it was inhabitable, due to no rain, after the return of the rightful people, the rain returned and everyone around there said it was theirs). The pales only interest is: pushing that people into the sea (gen 0 side).

[arle]

Yes yes yes. The whole UN is anti-Semitic for pressuring Israel to lift a blockade that includes, among other things, crayons and lentils, all the while insisting that Israel conform to the terms of at /least/ a few of the pieces of paper they've signed.

[DungBeetle]

So you're upset that the 5 largest nuclear superpower (although undeclared) isn't getting a fair shake as it presses it's boot down on the throat of a 3rd world people....and when those people try to claw at the ankle of Israel...you see that as justification for more downward pressure?

Boo-hoo for you.

New flash...the oppressor doesn't get to have moral authority.

[antifluff]

The UN is responsible for the care of THAT people. That is seldom mentioned in the blaime game.

[pgmark]

I am not crying or playing the victim - I am stating how Hamas plays the game.

I don't belong to AIPAC but I do call a spade a spade and the way I see it - your rule of thumb is to say "it all started when he hit me back"
I am a Democrat and have been all my life - I even voted for that loser Carter who until Bush was the worst president in my lifetime.
I am shocked that some liberals buy into the one sided that Israel is always wrong.

Fortunetly I believe Obama is smart (voted for him too) and gets what has to be done.
Believe me if peace is achieved Israel will give up land and the Palistinians will recognise Israel's right to exist. And that's about it.
Your ideas don't have a prayer in the real world

[Montgriz]

Actually, it IS all Israel's fault...They did steal the land they claim is theirs....no amount of spin can change that...not the bible crap, the UN crap, or Israeli propaganda­...everyth­ing comes from that single fact...and that is a fact!

[StillIRise]

Well said!

[Progressneeded]

Thank you!

[jafry]

the UNO as a whole has never sided with the israel's occupation. If it wasn't for the veto power of some friends in the high places...

[Macready]

and they are still stealing land and water . . .

[Sentientbeing09]

"The first task is to allow food and medicine into the territory. A senior political source in Jerusalem said the Americans have noticed some improvement here, but there has been no consistency or transparency on the types of foods permitted in."

Allowing Food and medicine is a no-brainer. Why do people even need to ASK FOR THIS?

and Israeli posters on this site wonder why Israel is hated across the region.

[jordanispalestine]

They're hated because they exist! Because they're there!! Not because of their treatment of Arabs...that is better treatment than ANY Arab nation gives to so-called Palestinians!! Wake up and smell the Hummus!!

[TommyMcCarthy]

I don't hate Israel.......
It is precisely BECAUSE I'm an admirer and a supporter of Israel that I find her ongoing war against the Gazans so disgusting.

ThatIsraeli CITIZENS tolerate the creation of a Palestinian GHETTO a mere fifty years after the liberation of those created by the Nazis surpasses belief!

True, they do not ship the Palestians in cattle cars to distant locations for extermination..or shoot them one by one (unless they are children throwing rocks at armored border checkpoint­s)......No­.

They simply attack crowded civilians from the air and kill them en masse....and then go back to starving them out, and denying them access to fuel and medicine.

When I was growing up among many Jews...we were all encourage to say...and understand the words "Never Forget......Never Again"

In 2009, It is Israel that has forgotten,...and Israel that is doing it again!

Shame....SHAME!!
tm

[ber6964]

I think that President Obama and Co. are off to a good start with the Isreals. He needs to keep up the pressure.

[Sanjeev Bery - Huffpost Blogger]

In related news ... "Israel's ban on crayons"

My HuffPo piece: http://tr.im/oWok

Sincerely,

Sanjeev Bery

[Taxi]

Hey Israel,

Your reparation bill is adding up gynormously.

Keep up with your crimes against civilians and you will pay, pay and pay so more.

At least as much as reparation as Germany has paid you and continues to do so.

[Macready]

Bravo Taxi . . .

[Donatella]

Unfortunately, it will be the U.S. that will pay all the reparations; the Lobby will see to that.

[Montgriz]

sadly, you are correct...israel seems to garner more US interest than any state...if Katrina had happened in Tel Aviv, there would be a new city....

[Albert Amato]

What about our reparations in Afghanistan for all the civilians and infrastructure damage.
You write the first check "Taxi".

[arle]

So you don't think we owe anything to the civilians in Afghanistan for the crimes we committed against innocent civilians? We've more than exacted our pound of flesh for 9/11, hundreds of times over at least.

[Taxi]

Well we're already paying some 'blood-money' to some families both in Afghanistan and Iraq, Albert.

Now, I give to several charities both here at home and overseas. I write plenty of cheques, Albert.

When was the last time you made a donation to a worthy cause WITHOUT the prompting of a disaster or a headline?

[Wisdo]

A policy of causing intense suffering for over one million people, including chronic malnutrition in children all for one soldier held by a militant gang - demonstrates Israels real commitment to human rights, which is to say, non Jews have none as far as they are concerned.

[jordanispalestine]

Emergency food gets in every day! The Arab kids..some of whom will grow up to be terrorists....are NOT suffering from chronic malnutrition!! That's more hogwash that gets posted here!! As Israel is AT WAR with the Hamastan government -and the folks who elected them..why feed them and provide ANY electricity??? Make them suffer enough until they quit!! Overpowering force and overpowering ability to make the enemy suffer gets them to quit!! General Powell said that!!!

[DarkSlope]

You're a terrorist. You just have the luxury of hiding behind a rogue government. And those children who will be future terrorists, if they kill someone you care about remember that Israeli actions made them terrorists.

[arle]

Ok, right, we'll take your word over that of half a dozen UN agencies and authorities and a dozen or so other independent human rights and relief organizations.

[arle]

"Make them suffer enough until they quit!!"

Vital insight into the Israeli psyche.

[alexa07]

"why feed them and provide ANY electricity?"

"Them" being every man, woman, child, elder, even farm animals trapped in the concentration camp of Gaza. If you don't know the answer to the questions you pose, you reveal your lack of humanity. You do yourself no credit, nor anyone else.

[who38]

Great news. Hope the Israeli government understands that opening the borders of Gaza is in their best interest. If the borders are opened and communication with the international community takes place, the people of Gaza might have a choice other than Hamas. Of course, the munitions industry will probably not favor such an action. Profit or the people!