Israel eases Gaza blockade - what's your reaction?

I´m not sure that it will have an `impact´. It might make an inhumane situation only marginally less inhumane. Is this something we should cheer about?

Israel eases Gaza blockade - what's your reaction?

Its great news but I'm slightly puzzled.

For years Israel has argued that all the items banned from Gaza were done so for strict security purposes, rather than the vindinctive collective punishment of those palestinians with the temerity to born in Gaza.

What's happened, apart from 9 dead activists, to change Israel's mind about what is and isn't dangerous to allow into Gaza?

Why now?

The whole blockade should be removed, it was unacceptable that it was put on in the first place..what was Israels problem with Gaza they didn't like there democratically elected Government Hamas. Many of us don't like the democratically elected Government of Israel as they have have made their country into a nation of international bullies , and now responsible for international piracy murders and thuggery. Using the Israel justification they should be punished as well for their anti human behaviour

I congratulate Israel on this decision which I believe is the correct one. I hope the increased aid will reach the people it needs the most in Gaza and hopefully eases the suffering and poverty there. It is definitley a positive step in the right direction.

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Does this mean that Israel will no longer be the real victim of the Gza blockade?

3 HYS on this subject, UN sits on emergency session, mass condemnations
Meanwhile, mass slaughter in Osh, Turkey raids Iraq (again)etc...not one HYS, not a peep from UN

5. At 10:13am on 17 Jun 2010, The Bloke wrote:
My reaction is, why the obsession with jews?

Why don't those who obsess about Israel and ignore other much worse situations elsewhere ask themselves - why the obsessional dual standards about jews?

Criticising Israel is fine, but the obsession and the dual standards - this is the umpteenth BBC thread about the Gaza situation - looks a bit questionable.


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Are you trying to sat that its only possible to condemn the actions of one nation at a time.

That just because people are condemning Israel's Gaza blocade then they can't condemn say, Darfur or Zimbabwe?

Thats very,very weak indeed.

I just wished that Israel allowed those basic things in the first place and Turkey did not lose those 9 humanitarian volunteers (please do not call them activists)

However, why are we punishing only Isreal? what about Egyptian Blockade? Why do we not take our trucks by land using Rafah crossing? We Muslims are far too quick to blame Israel for everything

6. At 10:18am on 17 Jun 2010, Wasting my time and yours wrote:
"Does this mean that Israel will no longer be the real victim of the Gza blockade?"



Dose this mean that the people of Gaza will no longer be prisoners in their own homeland? Doubt it.

The blockade should be completely removed. It is an illegal collective punishment of the 1 million+ inhabitants of Gaza. Shame on the governments of the so-called civilised world for allowing this to continue for so long.

5. At 10:13am on 17 Jun 2010, The Bloke wrote:
"My reaction is, why the obsession with jews?"



It's nothing to do with Jews. Are you anti-semitic?

When the next terrorist bombing or Israel find the next stash of weapos from Iran, I want all you Israeli bashers to show the same outrage, do the same protests and call for the arrest of the Iranian leaders

Let's wait for the spin to calm down and i am sure that we will see that this 'amazing' new deal will just be a rehash of the existing blockade and siege.

As far as i can see so far, Israel is still not allowing cement in (except for UN projects) which means that while Gazans can eat this new junk food they will still be homeless.

Israel is just trying to get away with doing the bare minimum without conceding that this blockade is punitive against the whole population and illegal, and getting international approval for this 'relaxation' will just encourage Israel to believe that this is now legal.

No matter how much Israel eases the blockade on Gaza, it will still be necessary to check all material going into the Strip.
All the time, we are told that only 25% of the amount of aid necessary is getting into Gaza. If Israel sent in 10 times the amount it is sending today, assuming that amongst others, the Arab States would be willing to donate material, there would still be people there including the head of UNWRA who would say it is not enough.
In the eyes of some people not matter what Israel does, has done or will do, short of self destruction, it will not be enough.
Why is it that this is the 3rd HYS in 2 weeks concerning Israel, yet not one about the humanitarian situation in Osh, Dhufar, Turkish Kurdistan.
Where are the concerns of the "humanitarian aid" givers for those places? Why aren't they complaining about the Egyptian blockade.
Gee, I forgot, none of those concern Israel.

It's a welcomed FIRST STEP.

Excuse my cynicism, but where Israel is concerned I would suspect that this is merely a Public Relations statement/exercise in an attempt to divert the international condemnation of the crimes against Gaza. Let us see if they are actually going to do anything that actually alleviates the suffering there.

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"5. At 10:13am on 17 Jun 2010, The Bloke wrote:
My reaction is, why the obsession with jews?

Why don't those who obsess about Israel and ignore other much worse situations elsewhere ask themselves - why the obsessional dual standards about jews?"
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The usual, often intentional, Hasbara mistaking of criticism of Israel with `anti-semitism' is present above.

Nevertheless, `the obsession' should also be explained in terms of Israel and Israelis, justifiably to a degree, claiming to be a part of The West in reference terms ranging from the sublime (intelligence sharing) to the ridiculous (Eurovision Song Contest). In those terms, the rest of `the West' feels more uncomfortable and reacts accordingly when Israel is perceived to transgress reason and morality than with, say Zimbabwe. True, there is a double standard when `the West' invades and occupies Iraq, but at the same time, Britain didn't blockade the Republic of Ireland because it `sheltered' terrorists or because it had elected officials highly sympathetic to `the cause'. If the Israeli Right didn't drown out internal Israeli opposition and morality perhaps the West's `obsession' wouldn't be so necessary.

Personally I see neither the orthodox two- or one- State solutions working. Neither side will ever be happy with borders or access to water etc. reached under these solutions.
I would suggest that an eventual federation be formed between `Israeli' (largely Jewish) and `Palestinian' regions based on the Swiss cantonal system where all would be equal citizens with a strict constitution to
prevent excessive encroachment on either identity, geographical or cultural, and hyper-democracy only within each canton.

13. At 10:50am on 17 Jun 2010, MagicKirin wrote:
When the next terrorist bombing or Israel find the next stash of weapos from Iran, I want all you Israeli bashers to show the same outrage, do the same protests and call for the arrest of the Iranian leaders

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How much sympathy does the average Israeli have for those Gazan's who have died during the blocade for lack of basic medical equipment?

Or those who died as aresult of 'collateral damage' afetr Israel used on an airstrike to take out a car on a busy Gazan street just because it was carrying a couple of terrorists?

All deaths are equally tragic, something the Israeli government just doesn't seem to have ever realised.

Why do you, as a nation, expect empathy when you show absolutely none yourselves?

I think it's a good idea. Although they would be crazy to lift the blockade completely, they should let as much humanitarian aid in as possible, and any future flotillas should expedite the process by arranging to unload their cargo at Asdod.

The whole blockade is abusive, illegal and although easing the situation is good news for the people of Gaza, this should only serve to intensify efforts to bring Israel in line with international law and UN Security Council rulings.

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Lets see if the terrorists stop attacking israel now. Doubt it

Just another piece of pro Israel propaganda. It will do little to improve the misery of those trapped in Gaza
by the Israeli blockade - and nothing to improve the world view of Israel's crimes against the people of Gaza.
Israel is frightened but it must overcome its fear and try to be a good neighbour. If it won't or can't and
is determined to dominate it's neighbours it may well cause War in the Middle East that could engulf the entire world.

Hamas Islamist group was elected by Gaza people.

Hardly to believe what Hamas stands for.
Hamas charter represents everything free people opose.

Read Hams charter https://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
After reading the charter you will understand Israel position
.
Would you consider the WW2 ally blockade against the axis countries an act that should not be done?

Hamas implements their Islamist ideology both against Israel civilians and by enforcing Sharia low in Gaza whatever they can.

Pricing such movements is equivalent to the Chamberlain policy ahead WW2

***If willing - Gaza people can choose a peace leadership and not the Islamist charter of Hamas

22. At 11:17am on 17 Jun 2010, Andrei Dascalu wrote:

The whole blockade is abusive, illegal and although easing the situation is good news for the people of Gaza, this should only serve to intensify efforts to bring Israel in line with international law and UN Security Council rulings.

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It has been mentioned that it is not illegal. It is a perfectly legal act in a war, which israel is in.

Does that mean Egypt will also be easing their blockade? it's just that we never really hear about that and more goods went into Gaza via Israel than via Egypt.

I got sent pictures recently on the 'hardship" in Gaza. All I saw was food going to waste because there was too much of it in the markets.

Still, that doesn't fit the BBC's image of the "hardships" and thus we never got to see those photos.

I don't trust the Israelis - end of. Clearly Obama has been leaning on them but I doubt this'll make much difference.

Israel is absolutely right to enforce this blockade, although there should be more clarity about the blacklist.

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27. At 11:28am on 17 Jun 2010, in_the_uk wrote:
22. At 11:17am on 17 Jun 2010, Andrei Dascalu wrote:

The whole blockade is abusive, illegal and although easing the situation is good news for the people of Gaza, this should only serve to intensify efforts to bring Israel in line with international law and UN Security Council rulings.

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It has been mentioned that it is not illegal. It is a perfectly legal act in a war, which israel is in.


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Only if other nations or the UN recognise that 'war', which they do not.

You can't unilaterally declare yourself to be complying with international law for obvious reasons.

I could declare myself at war with Belgium, do you think that would get me off the hook for any Belgians I killed...

5. At 10:13am on 17 Jun 2010, The Bloke wrote:
My reaction is, why the obsession with jews?

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Intelligent people hold a distinction between a nation as government, and a nation and it's people.

Even when intelligent people consider a nation as it's people, they don't stereotype it's people as simply a religion. I'm sure a notable number of jews oppose Israel's Government's actions against gaza too.

My criticisms are based on the inhumane actions of the Israeli Government, nothing to do with the Israeli People, much less it's religion. As an atheist, religion makes no difference, each one is as daft as the next.

Hamas Islamist group was elected by Gaza people.

Hardly to believe what Hamas stands for.
Hamas charter represents everything free people opose.

Read Hams charter https://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
After reading the charter you will understand Israel position
.
Would you consider the WW2 ally blockade against the axis countries an act that should not be done?

Hamas implements their Islamist ideology both against Israel civilians and by enforcing Sharia low in Gaza whatever they can.

Pricing such movements is equivalent to the Chamberlain policy ahead WW2

***If willing - Gaza people can choose a peace leadership and not the Islamist charter of Hamas





The barbaric acts of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people for so many years have driven them to vote for the extremist Hamas. If anything Israel wants Hamas to remain in power because in the name of "terrorism" it gives them the excuse to continue blcokading Gaza and denying the Palestinian people the right to live a normal life.

Another hys for israel bashers. 90% of brits could not care less about gaza. Still fill your anti semite boots.

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12. At 10:44am on 17 Jun 2010, Kevin Orr wrote:
5. At 10:13am on 17 Jun 2010, The Bloke wrote:
"My reaction is, why the obsession with jews?"

It's nothing to do with Jews. Are you anti-semitic?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you had bothered to read his post correctly, you would have (as any simplton would have) understood that the point he is making is that the BBC seems to spend a disproportionate amount of time discussing the Isreali/Palestinian conflict, when there are other issues and conflicts around the world with equally or more destruction and hardship going on.

He is implying that the BBC seems to have an anti-semitic agenda. So for you to turn around and accuse him of anti-semitism is laughable.

As for the partial easing of the blockade of Gaza, my hope would be that this is one small step in the right direction toward greater peace between the two sides. However, from previous attempts made by Israel to slowly introduce peace (the removal of Jewish settlers from various settlements), i suspect that Hamas and the Palestinians will see this as some for of weakness and capitualtion and do what they appear to always do and attack.

Which will put all sides back to square one.

Oh! Will this madness never end.......

When we fought and bore the intense pain inflicted upon us through an unjust order passed on the basis of suspicion of wrong doing by us which did not exist at all, to kill millions of innocents during the time of holocaust, we are expected to behave reverse as and when we face with a similar situation nonetheless under different circumstances where exist a real threat to us. This is rightfulness which none can either under estimate or ignores to allow one to fly high amongst the entire.

Since Hamas is a very unpredictable outfit and existed on the desire of the others based outside the territory of Noble Nation of Palestine and hence bound to change their minds which befits their intense hunger for killing of innocents who are moving freely outside as well as preferring to enjoy itself sacrificing their own innocent human employees by virtue of their mass enrolment with the Organization to advance their cruel of the cruelest Agenda, none can able to give a guarantee, other than the Great General Public of Palestine through offering high resistances, that such routes are not put to misuse once fully opened up for traffic even for civilian purposes.

Irrespective of high risk involved, this is the only solution available to us at the moment to allow civilian Ships to have a free access into the port of Gaza in order to pay our highest respect to those who scarified their lives for the good of the humanity. Accordingly we salute the ‘desire’ and ‘will’ on the part of Israel for gathering the courage to do so. It is therefore an opportunity worth taking of a chance; to allow Hamas to rethink their strategy to work for the good of the Country and not against it to kill it.Let peace prevail everywhere.

(Dr.M.M.HAZARIKA, PhD)

nice to see Israel are waking up to the fact that if you try to put people into the stone age they tend to act that way as well.

32. At 11:40am on 17 Jun 2010, Wasting my time and yours wrote:

Only if other nations or the UN recognise that 'war', which they do not.

You can't unilaterally declare yourself to be complying with international law for obvious reasons.

I could declare myself at war with Belgium, do you think that would get me off the hook for any Belgians I killed...

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Thats odd. Because last I checked israel was attacked by surrounding arab countries who declared war. After starting on the defensive israel turned the war around and egypt negotiated but palestine refused. peace talks have been going on but the leaders of the palestinians have no control over palestinian terrorists who attack israel. So they are still at war with a force that refuses to negotiate.

Israel could easily finish them off but shows great restraint not doing. They know the civilians want peace, its the terrorists hiding among them that are the problem.

24. At 11:24am on 17 Jun 2010, in_the_uk wrote:
Lets see if the terrorists stop attacking israel now. Doubt it

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Their cage still isn't open, you can't expect such a small offering by Israel to make much difference to their thinking. Even if Gaza was opened up entirely, it would still take time for things to settle.

It would require resoluteness and fortitude of Israel not to respond to them (unilaterally). I think that strategy has been tried and tested, and failed.

Some of the left wing extremists here seem to think that Hamas are a legitimate government. I guess to a left wing extremist, slaughtering 120+ members of the opposition as soon as you get into power is "legitimate". After all, the left wing have always struggled with the concept of democracy. Slaughtering people to get into power is part and parcel of the left wing's communist foundations.

The fact that Israel is a Jewish state is irrelevant, fundamentally, this blockade is illegal under international law.

At every turn Israel uses the anti-semitic defence. What we are seeing today is a country that has no respect for international law, with powerful lobby groups in the USA and trade relationships with the EU that is inflicting the same hardships on Palestinians that were inflicted on a million Jews by the Nazis. Israel should be the last country in the world where we should see this kind of oppression.

Israel has bowed to international pressure and allowed more items in.

Syria on the other hand does not mention the welcomed lifting of harsh restrictions.
Instead Irans poodle spout on about WAR,i can honestly say Israel is surronding by idiots.

41. At 12:00pm on 17 Jun 2010, Rob wrote:

Their cage still isn't open, you can't expect such a small offering by Israel to make much difference to their thinking. Even if Gaza was opened up entirely, it would still take time for things to settle.

It would require resoluteness and fortitude of Israel not to respond to them (unilaterally). I think that strategy has been tried and tested, and failed.

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Sorry if this disapoints you but I am all for our forces in afghan going after those terrorist groups (taliban) for the deaths of so many. So yeah I agree with israel hunting the terrorists killing its civilians too. And I side with palestinians who point out the terrorists hiding behind civilian children

Post 37 - Philip of England (really?)

"....previous attempts made by Israel to slowly introduce peace (the removal of Jewish settlers from various settlements), i suspect that Hamas and the Palestinians will see this as some for of weakness and capitualtion and do what they appear to always do and attack."

You do realise that this 'peaceful' gesture was returning illegally siezed land and it wasn't even all of it?!?!

Israel is in the business of not wanting peace otherwise it would return to its 67 borders.

WRT Palestinian actions, you do realise that resistance groups naturally tend to want to fight back to illegal occupation right?

I personally agree with limited resistance to occupation however IF all land was returned and these groups still attacked THEN and only then they would become terrorists.

The border between Egypt and Gaza is now open, so who cares about Israel's blockade? If the Gazans want concrete they can buy it in Egypt. So what that they can't trade through all of their borders: neither can Israel (trade through the borders with Lebanon and Syria is impossible).

Don't believe the stories about the "crisis" in Gaza, they get everything they need, that's how they've managed to keep up one of the highest population growth figures in the world. Sure they may not have all the luxuries of a Western nation but they're not worse off than their Egyptian neighbors and that's what we should be comparing their situation with. The streets of Gaza are busy with cars and motorcycles, the markets full of fresh food and nearly every home has a TV. If you want to see a real humanitarian crisis go look in the refugee camps of Africa, you know the people who have to live in tents without fresh food or a reliable water source and get only a fraction of the attention and aid that goes to Gaza.

The blockade is legal under rules of war. Whether you like it or not is a political stand. Israel views it as a war tool against a hostile entity to deny it war materials like weapons and cement which can be used to build bunkers and such.

The main change is that Israel will allow cement to reach Gaza under the condition it will be supervised by international agencies.

Those that call the blockade collective punishment should check their own backyard. Was the blockade on Cuba collective punishment? Were Britain's blockades during her wars collective punishment? Don't give me that "but..no.. that's different.."

Once Hamas renounces violence and accepts past agreements (it's charter calls for the total destruction of a modern state and advocates murder of Jews) then the blockade would be lifted.

Remember Egypt, an Arab state, also takes part in this blockade. So why single Israel if you're going all the way?

Also I'm baffled by BBC's obsession with this topic. Why isn't there a HYS and articles regarding Turkey's recent aggression and bombing?

What is my reaction?
Ho-hum, same-old, same-old. Words...
Israel says the aim of the blockade is to prevent war material entering Gaza while allowing the entry of humanitarian aid.
If this is so, why haven’t Israel been searching all entry vehicles and allowing non-war materials through? I guess it's just easier, though far less humane, to stop everything, and not “waste" the time searching?
What impact will it have on the people in Gaza?
I suspect very little will change.
What is the future of the blockade?
Gaza is an rectangle, 45 km (25 miles) long and 10 km (6 miles) wide. About 1.5M Palestinians live in Gaza. Gaza has one of the world's highest population densities. Most Gazans live on less than $2 a day. Israeli security closures are disturbingly inhumane; but so are Western sanctions imposed after Hamas came to power in early 2006.
Israel’s curbing has included
- fuel supplies to the territory's main power plant & gas stations and
- stopping aid shipments that include food and other humanitarian supplies.
The reason for the blockade?
Israel says the blockade is a bid to curb rocket salvoes fired into Israel.
You cannot punish 1.5 Palestinians for the actions of a few militants. The blocakde is doomed.

. At 12:00pm on 17 Jun 2010, in_the_uk wrote:
32. At 11:40am on 17 Jun 2010, Wasting my time and yours wrote:

Only if other nations or the UN recognise that 'war', which they do not.

You can't unilaterally declare yourself to be complying with international law for obvious reasons.

I could declare myself at war with Belgium, do you think that would get me off the hook for any Belgians I killed...

-------------------------------

Thats odd. Because last I checked israel was attacked by surrounding arab countries who declared war. After starting on the defensive israel turned the war around and egypt negotiated but palestine refused. peace talks have been going on but the leaders of the palestinians have no control over palestinian terrorists who attack israel. So they are still at war with a force that refuses to negotiate.

---

Are you doing the internet equivalent of sticking your fingers in your eras and shouting La La La.?

You can make up any definition of 'state of war' your imagination can encompass - if your fantasy definition is not recognised by the UN then no state of war exists and the blockade of Gaza is illegal under international law.

By the way, forgive me i'm wrong but were'nt you the contributor the other day that tried to claim that the Gaza aid convoy had weapons destined for terrorists confiscated by some unknown agency before the Israeli's boarded it - despite being unable to back the claim up in any way ahape or form.

If so you want to learn to build your black propaganda on more solid ground.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Post 42 System F - how the BBC let you get away this misinformation is mind boggling!

As i read in the news that Israel and US were training up Fatah troops and arming them for a coup of the democratically elected (however distasteful you find them!) Hamas in Gaza. Again as i a read it Hamas carried out a pre-emptive assault and won, with bloody consequences.

You see the words pre-emptive defence were coined up by Israel a few years back for an illegal war and noone complained, Hamas takes the same action and suddenly it's wrong? What give?

There should be no blockade. Israel is an imposed guest in the region.

"Phillip of England wrote:
I suspect that Hamas and the Palestinians will see this as some for of weakness and capitualtion and do what they appear to always do and attack."
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As an Israeli citizen I'm afraid you're right. Every time concessions are made the extreme elements among the Palestinians consider it as 'proof' of the usefulness of their ideology and methods.

Instead of thinking "hey, maybe we can actually have a chance at peace" they simply view it as a weakness and continue attacking. After all, why settle for peace when you can have it all.

I'm afraid this is, partly, caused by elements of religious extremism among Hamas leaders. I do not believe Hamas will change, thus the only chance for peace is to strengthen the more moderate factions like Fatah, which has the support of most of the Arab world.

28. At 11:29am on 17 Jun 2010, Sykes wrote:
Does that mean Egypt will also be easing their blockade? it's just that we never really hear about that and more goods went into Gaza via Israel than via Egypt.

I can understand the Arab States who don't have relations with Israel not wanting their aid to go through Israel, but surely, their Brother, Egypt, has an entry point into Gaza at Rafah Crossing.
Oops I forgot :
1. They don't sent aid. Only lip service.
2. Egypt continues with its blockade.
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29. At 11:32am on 17 Jun 2010, Rufus McDufus wrote:
I don't trust the Israelis - end of.

A lot of people, Israelis included don't trust the Hamas, Hizbollah and Iran.
What's the difference?
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34. At 11:52am on 17 Jun 2010, nick02139 wrote:
Hamas Islamist group was elected by Gaza people.

Only after they illegally broke away from the Palestinian Authority and held local elections, after which they carried out a massacre of pro-Fatah Palestinians in Gaza.
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BBC - 3 HYS's in two weeks on Israel. 0 HYS's on 400,000 new refugees in Kyrgyzstan, 0 HYS's on Turkish Attacks into Iraqi Kurdistan.
How about some even handedness from you?
Mind you who would complain about these atrocities? As long as it is not Israel bashing, it isn't newsworthy.

45. At 12:12pm on 17 Jun 2010, in_the_uk wrote:
Sorry if this disapoints you but I am all for our forces in afghan going after those terrorist groups (taliban) for the deaths of so many. So yeah I agree with israel hunting the terrorists killing its civilians too. And I side with palestinians who point out the terrorists hiding behind civilian children
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The difference being the cage I mentioned.
I don't particularly like the situation in Afghanistan, every conflict has inhumanity, especially when terrorists use civilian meat shields. I can still tolerate it while the innocent are not being deliberately targeted.

The blockade punishes civilians deliberately.

The security of Israel is of prime importance to them.
Its governments have over the years stressed that over and over again.
The easing of the blocade is good.
But Israel retains the right to what it will allow in.
The people of Gaza should be thankful.
Now let them show their appreciation.

As an Israeli, I just wish my government had made this gesture independently, and not in response to provocative actions by a few violent Turkish activists......Sorry, I meant humanitarian volunteers.

Big mistake. Until the rockets stop tighten up the blockade even more. No one is going short in Gaza and no one appears in a hurry to find work.

"Wasting my time and yours wrote: You can make up any definition of 'state of war' your imagination can encompass - if your fantasy definition is not recognised by the UN then no state of war exists"

Are .. you ..ACTUALLY implying Hamas, Islamic Jihad & other extremist factions and the state of Israel are NOT in a state of war?

As your nickname says, stop wasting our time and yours.

BBC - stop spinning this story into something we should be thankful for.

The illegal blockade still exists. Palestine is still under an illegal Zionist occupation. The land, sea and air space of Palestine is still controlled by the Israelis. The drinking water of the Palestinian people is still controlled by Israel.

All of this is in violation of numerous UN resolutions and has been condemned by human rights organisations globally, including Israel's own B'Tselem.

So, BBC, please stop the twisting of this story and the report the facts as they stand for the people of Palestine.

The Palestinian people are still living in an open-air prison housing 1.5 million Palestinian men, women and children, that the Israelis are denying basic human rights to.

The pure evil shown by Israel has no bounds. Israel has no shame. Israel is devoid of any morality and ethics.

Unfortunatly this seems to be the British way. Totally ignoring the illegality of the blocade, being against human rights, creating open prison, punishing collectively etc. and all we se is out of 4000 commodities needed in a heathy enviroment 35 more has been added to 70 allowed. This is hoe the British takes the piss from the other people. There is a touch of Blair style. He ususally forgets 3900 forbidden goods and promotes 100 allowed when there shouldnt be any blocade.
Most important if asked! probably 80% of British people will despise the blocade but our great democratic nation, democratically says blocade is untenable but agrees and support even suggest in private how to do it succesfully. Long Live British Parliament and Politicians.Very rarely a nation is told something and implemented diffrent at this magnitude. Than again United States of Israel is fully behind the Israel regardless. They employ British when they need finesse and to be silent.

50. At 12:18pm on 17 Jun 2010, Wasting my time and yours wrote:

"Are you doing the internet equivalent of sticking your fingers in your eras and shouting La La La.?"

How does that help with reading comments on here? Go on try it. Wish I could see :)

"You can make up any definition of 'state of war' your imagination can encompass - if your fantasy definition is not recognised by the UN then no state of war exists and the blockade of Gaza is illegal under international law."

How did we cope before the UN? Was it an unrecognised aggrivated grievance?

"By the way, forgive me i'm wrong but were'nt you the contributor the other day that tried to claim that the Gaza aid convoy had weapons destined for terrorists confiscated by some unknown agency before the Israeli's boarded it - despite being unable to back the claim up in any way ahape or form."

Quick answer.... No. I am however the contributed who mentioned that a previous convoy had been searched and had been found with weapons. Are you the guy who tried to tell be the blockade didnt work because not every ship is smuggling weapons?

"If so you want to learn to build your black propaganda on more solid ground."

Feeling pretty solid under my feet right here. Hows the quicksand?

5. At 10:13am on 17 Jun 2010, The Bloke wrote:
My reaction is, why the obsession with jews?

>>> When there are vastly poorer countries than Israel, it was the recipient of most US foreign aid 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, ...

The obsession with Jews is far from 1 sided.

It is not an obsession with Jews. It is about Zionists. I am interested in this because of what I consider the staggering hypocricy of the west. Every western leader would consider it an outrage if the UN partitioned their country to create a new country for some ethnic group on top of it. Yet once again we have Blair referring to Hamas as extremists for doing what any British leader in their position would do. No matter how many illegal new colonies Israel establishes on no western leader is going to call Netanyahu an extremist. Why not? It is never going to happen but I think that it would be wonderful if the Americans ended up in the same situation that they are happy for the Palestinians to endure.

52. At 12:22pm on 17 Jun 2010, Phillip of England wrote:
42. At 12:06pm on 17 Jun 2010, SystemF wrote:
Q"Some of the left wing extremists here seem to think that Hamas are a legitimate government. I guess to a left wing extremist, slaughtering 120+ members of the opposition as soon as you get into power is "legitimate". After all, the left wing have always struggled with the concept of democracy. Slaughtering people to get into power is part and parcel of the left wing's communist foundations."




Some of the right wing extremists here forget that Israel Slaughtered 1400 people in land they invaded in 2008. This included 400 children, schools, hospitals and a Red Cross vehicle. The right wing in many countries use slaughtering to get into power. It's part and parcel of the right wing's foundation

What's my reaction?

My reaction is that this is getting extremely boring. This is the third HYS on this subject, plus the HYS on Iran that got hijacked by the Israel bashing mob. Doesn't the BBC have anything better to hold an HYS on?

Meanwhile, Turkey invades northern Iraq and kills Kurds on its "wanted" list. Not a peep out of the BBC, the UN, the NGOs or anyone else. Wouldn't this be a better subject for an HYS? Oh wait, Israel isn't involved. The Israel bashing mob will be denied a platform...

52. At 12:22pm on 17 Jun 2010, Phillip of England wrote:

Absolutely spot on!!!

Never ever trust anyone who professes the wonders of either communism or socialism, both of which are completely at odds with the basic principles of democracy.

--

Its much easier to resort to name calling than to defend Israel's actions , isn't it?

By the way from the context in which you both use the terms 'communist' and 'socialist' in relation to protests about Israels blocade of Gaza make it perfectly clear that neither of you understand these terms as anything other than low-level insults borrowed from the American right rather than as the complex socio-political systems they actually refer to.

I'm no more 'socialist' than any American or Israeli who pays tax to fund the state education system or armed forces.

But keep the insults coming.

56. At 12:28pm on 17 Jun 2010, ralphinrishon wrote

BBC - 3 HYS's in two weeks on Israel. 0 HYS's on 400,000 new refugees in Kyrgyzstan, 0 HYS's on Turkish Attacks into Iraqi Kurdistan.
How about some even handedness from you?
Mind you who would complain about these atrocities? As long as it is not Israel bashing, it isn't newsworthy.

---
Yes, never mind what we're doing 'QUICK, EVERYONE, LOOK OVER THERE!'

57. At 12:31pm on 17 Jun 2010, Rob wrote:

The difference being the cage I mentioned.
I don't particularly like the situation in Afghanistan, every conflict has inhumanity, especially when terrorists use civilian meat shields. I can still tolerate it while the innocent are not being deliberately targeted.

The blockade punishes civilians deliberately.

--------------------

The blockade stops weapons from arriving. Why do civilians need weapons?

The Israeli security cabinet’s decision of easing the land blockade of the Gaza Strip has nothing to do with the humanitarian values. The decision has been taken to reduce and soften the growing international pressure against Israel’s illegitimate blockade of the Gaza Strip. The international community showed a commendable response to the brutal commando raid on Freedom flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, and killing nine peaceful activists in the international waters.
The decision must not be taken as a hospitable gesture and the global community should not abandon to raise the voice against Israeli brutality. The statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office shows that Israel has dual standards of gauging her own actions; on one side it is saying to allow the construction materials for civilian projects under international supervision, and on the other hand it is rejecting to constitute a free and international commission to probe into the brutal commando raid on the aid carrying flotilla.
The statement said that Israel expected the international community to work toward the immediate release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but it is silent about the release of hundreds of innocent Palestinians from Israeli jails.
The global community should stand up against Israeli barbarism and should work even harder to completely ending up the illegitimate blockade.

23. At 11:21am on 17 Jun 2010, SystemF wrote:
'... the left are the new ant-Semites'
The left have always been anti-Semites. Hitler was a collectivist, fascism is a leftist philosophy and Stalin killed almost as many Jews as Hitler.

But, back on topic. If the Jew-Haters on this board would only admit it their attacks on Israel are anti-Semitism. Why? Because they never ever complain about Egypt - an Arab country happily playing along with Israel's blockade. Why?
Where is the condemnation of Jordan for its treatment of Palestinians? Jordan took more of Palestine in 1948 than Israel did and the Palestinians that live there live in hopeless squalor -unlike the 100,000s of Arabs living in Israel.
Where is the condemnation and constant propaganda about that tragedy on the BBC?
No, anti-Israel = anti-Semitism because Israel's critics care nothing for the Palestinian People and hate the Jews.

Avi wrote:
"Once Hamas renounces violence and accepts past agreements (it's charter calls for the total destruction of a modern state and advocates murder of Jews) then the blockade would be lifted."



Once Israel renounces violence (one of their ministers has called for Arabs to be pushed out to the sea), perhaps an agreement can be reached.
A ceasefire was in place in 2008 between Israel and Hamas, which Israel broke by killing 6 Hamas operatives. Hamas then offered to renew the ceasefire and Israel refused.
Right wing posters here have convenient memories or limited knowledge

In the first instance , Israel always had the ability to scan and check all materials going into Gaza , with the most sophisticated equiptment available.
Security was a smokescreen to punish the Palestinians for their support of Hamas, who IMO were formed to alieve the hardship on the Gazans with supplies of essentials, so its complicated.
However the actual suffering of the Gazans is very evident and if this attempt to break the blockade , which of course was not possible , has to some extent eased the suffering of the people , then it has not been in vain.
There was no true security reason in the first place and all essentials to improve living conditions for the Gazans should continue with the security checks in place.
Hamas should exercise its influence to halt rocket attacks , which harm the Gazans more than Israel anyway.

I'll give the benefit of the doubt to Israel but I don't really believe for one minute that there is some kind of glitch planned to reverse this somewhere in the not to far distance. Some kind of scheme planned by Israel to make it look like it's not working. I have no faith in Israel because they've not afforded ME in particular any reason trust them at their word. They've done nothing but scheme and lie and twist situations to make themselves always look like victims... not that they're not often victims, but not in every case are THEY the victims especially where Palestinians are concerned. And of course the US, and now it seems Britain too lately, will support whatever Israel says and does.

Why do we bother with this farce I'll never understand.
1- Blocade is, Legally, Morally, Humanly Wrong Ease should not be an option because there shouldnt be a blocade. UN, US, UK, EU, Russia should be the countries preventing Israel from implementing this inhumane and WRONG action and stop this collective punishment for democratically electing undesirable people to Israel.
2- Lets stop dreaming and see the facts UN besically belongs to United States of Israel. Which owns partially UK and influences EU and theretens Russia SO sorget about Law, Human Rights, right or wrong. Blocade stays on. Untill the day the world starts to realise there is no freedom, Justice, and Democracy until all the nations create a real United Narions that has power to implement AND is democratic we shall have to suffer an owned one that can only take desicions that United States of Israel do not exercise it's Veto power.

At 11:10am on 17 Jun 2010, Olof Palme in Weimar England wrote:

"... Britain didn't blockade the Republic of Ireland because it `sheltered' terrorists or because it had elected officials highly sympathetic to `the cause'."

This is not true. Britain used very similar strategies to isolate NI from the Republic. Traffic was funneled through military checkpoints. So-called peace lines were built to separate warring communities. As in Gaza, the impact of a closed, heavily-policed border was primarily economic in the border areas, where communities were physically cut off from their geographic neighbours, and thus from markets, employment opportunities and prompt access to hospital care. I'm pretty certain the political fashionistas got all hot under the collar about that situation too. How quickly they forget.

34. At 11:52am on 17 Jun 2010, nick02139 wrote:

Hamas Islamist group was elected by Gaza people.

Hardly to believe what Hamas stands for.
Hamas charter represents everything free people opose.

Read Hams charter https://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
After reading the charter you will understand Israel position
.
Would you consider the WW2 ally blockade against the axis countries an act that should not be done?

Hamas implements their Islamist ideology both against Israel civilians and by enforcing Sharia low in Gaza whatever they can.

Pricing such movements is equivalent to the Chamberlain policy ahead WW2

***If willing - Gaza people can choose a peace leadership and not the Islamist charter of Hamas




Hamas needs to recognize Israel rather that have in it's charter the Destruction of Israel as one of the main elements the movement is based upon.

Any movement who calls for the destruction of another country should not be allowed to grow.

13. At 10:50am on 17 Jun 2010, MagicKirin wrote:
When the next terrorist bombing or Israel find the next stash of weapos from Iran, I want all you Israeli bashers to show the same outrage, do the same protests and call for the arrest of the Iranian leaders

>>> Double standards here or what? Would we expect Zionists to show some outrage when the next stash of weapons arrives in Israel from America or call for the arrest of Obama. In the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war there were 1191 dead Lebanese civilians as opposed to only 44 dead Israelis, yet, rather than showing some outrage, that Palestinian basher Blair's reaction was to encourage Israel to keep up the assault.

Why should someone who supports Hamas and Hezbollah be expected to be outraged at Iran for supplying them with the weapons which they need? Why should we be expected to be more outraged by a terrorist bombing of Israel than a terrorst bombing of Palestine? The Israelis blew up over 300 Palestinian children at the end of 2008. That is what outrages me.

The ending of the embargo is to be welcomed. It shows the previous Israeli action for what it truly was state sponsored oppression.

Only where there is a free and full flow of all products to Gaza can Israel come back to the group of civilised nations.

Pamela Read wrote:

"Just another piece of pro Israel propaganda. It will do little to improve the misery of those trapped in Gaza
by the Israeli blockade"

---

The Rafah crossing with Egypt is now open. People and goods can move across freely. No more "trapped in Gaza", no more "misery". No more excuses because they can get everything they need through Egypt.

Go to Google images and look for pictures of the Gaza markets. They are brimming with food. The streets are full of cars. In fact Ismail Haniyeh has asked the "Freedom flotillas" to stop bringing so much medicines and other goods because they have nowhere to store them.

If you want to see real pictures of misery and famine, look to Africa. But then, Israel isn't involved so the political correctness mob are totally silent.

55. At 12:28pm on 17 Jun 2010, Avi wrote:
"Phillip of England wrote:
I suspect that Hamas and the Palestinians will see this as some for of weakness and capitualtion and do what they appear to always do and attack."
---------------------------------------------------------
As an Israeli citizen I'm afraid you're right. Every time concessions are made the extreme elements among the Palestinians consider it as 'proof' of the usefulness of their ideology and methods"





Conveniently forgetting of course the 2008 ceasefire which Israel broke and turned down Hamas' offer for a new one

This sounds terribly pessimistic but here goes:
Looking at how the Americans destroyed the native population and stole their lands, how would one go about trying the same thing in this day and age?
If it were me, I’d probably scream about us constantly being threatened all the while pushing the inhabitants off their lands. I’d try to make conditions as unbearable as possible so they’d retaliate in some form and we could move in with overwhelming justifiable force claiming more land in a slow and methodical process. If some objected we could say this was for legitimate security concerns and if you objected then you would be a bigot.
….. yeah, that might work.

" 3. At 10:10am on 17 Jun 2010, paulinemnz wrote:
The whole blockade should be removed, it was unacceptable that it was put on in the first place..what was Israels problem with Gaza they didn't like there democratically elected Government Hamas."

and WHY don't they "like" them? Does it have something to do with the fact that Hamas's sole reason to exist is the total destruction of Israel? It just highlights how truly ridiculous the whole situation is: The Palestinians want the total destruction of Israel yet in the mean time expect the Israelis to provide them with fuel, water, food and treat their sick! Its like Britain being expected to provide food aid to Nazi Germany in 1941.

I really can't stand the Israeli's (not least because they had a damn good go making sure I was never born by blowing my grandfather up in 1948...fortunately only with slight success) but the unquestioning support for palestinian psycopaths on this page is sickening.

Incidentally the first thing Hamas did after winning its 'democratic' elections was to try and wipe out the other Palestinian factions. This is one of the reasons Egypt also maintains a blockade on Gaza yet for some reason only the Israeli blockade is criticised on HYS. Why's that?

70. At 12:46pm on 17 Jun 2010, in_the_uk wrote:
The blockade stops weapons from arriving. Why do civilians need weapons?
-------------------------

You complain about them firing rockets, but the blockade stops weapons arriving.

Either the blockade isn't working, and they're getting weapons anyway.
Or they're making their own weapons, and the blockade is pointless.

Why have a blockade?
It's so ineffective and punishes the innocent, it attracts international condemnation, increases support for the opposition.

Is it really worth it?

36. At 11:54am on 17 Jun 2010, SallyMcann wrote:
Too late now I'm afraid. Israel is now regarded worldwide as a terrorist state. The people who ordered the murder of these aid voluneers effectively ended the Israel 'experiment'. Unless the decent people of Israel (despite some of the comments posted, there are many!) have the sense to overthrow their terrorist government, then they have no future in this region


Alternatively they could just wait a year or two and vote for a different government..... unlike the rest of the region Israel actually has a functional electoral system. Its ironic too that you reckon the Israeli govt is a 'terrorist' organisation yet Hamas isn't? For your next post can you suggest the Waffen SS were a Gay pride group? Its been a long day and I need a laugh.

ref #8
Wasting my time and yours wrote:
5. At 10:13am on 17 Jun 2010, The Bloke wrote:
My reaction is, why the obsession with jews?

Why don't those who obsess about Israel and ignore other much worse situations elsewhere ask themselves - why the obsessional dual standards about jews?

Criticising Israel is fine, but the obsession and the dual standards - this is the umpteenth BBC thread about the Gaza situation - looks a bit questionable.


----

Are you trying to sat that its only possible to condemn the actions of one nation at a time.

That just because people are condemning Israel's Gaza blocade then they can't condemn say, Darfur or Zimbabwe?

Thats very,very weak indeed.

________________

How many HYS threads of Human rights violations in Moslem countries in Africa with Robert Mugabe, in Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia?

How many U.N declarations against those countries?

When a country commits an international crime and tells the rest of the world they can't have an international investigation,just sit back and ask yourself,how much power does this country have over the international comunity.They will never let those poor Palestinians out of the gutter they've forced them into until the international comunity musters up the guts to lean on them.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

A couple of things here - the siege is illegal - has been declared ilegal by the UN and is frowned upon the ISraeli allies

How can Israel claim being a victim when it has one of the most advanced armies in the world?

Why does Israel not agree borders with Palestine?>

Why does Israel seem to sacrifice its image for siezing land?

So many questions....

It’s window dressing and not a solution.

It's a start, allowing in some of the basic necessities and seemingly random items that were prohibited before, but I hope that Hamas doesn't use this as a means of declaring "victory against the Zionist aggressors" in the face of Israeli capitulation before ratcheting up the violence, which would ultimately (and predictably) lead to an even more violent retaliation, leading to ordinary citizens of Gaza and Israel suffering once more.

Personally - our family don't want to hear from biased media news reports.

What many families, globally, wish to see and hear, are real stories from real people in Gaza and Israel? Let's have open reports and open documentaries from both sides?

Do workers, business and trade operate on a normal basis for ordinary people everyday between Gaza and Israel? All we hear is what politicians and media choose to report?

Enough is enough - just stop it and expose the truth of what is really going on between these two?

"nbair wrote:
"Israel is an imposed guest in the region"
--------------------------------------
Say what you will, Israel is here to stay. The reason it was RE-created was so the Jewish people could defend themselves (as the world brutally showed)and so they could exercise their right of self-determination in their homeland.

Denying a state's reason to exist is laughable, as I can do it to 80% of all the states in the world, especially in the middle east where all modern nations (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) who sit next to Israel were created around the same time minus few years.

72. At 12:51pm on 17 Jun 2010, DeathnTaxis wrote:
23. At 11:21am on 17 Jun 2010, SystemF wrote:
'... the left are the new ant-Semites'
The left have always been anti-Semites. Hitler was a collectivist, fascism is a leftist philosophy and Stalin killed almost as many Jews as Hitler.

"But, back on topic. If the Jew-Haters on this board would only admit it their attacks on Israel are anti-Semitism."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't mean to spoil your fun butRead this:


"the Israeli occupation is a dynamic process and it becomes worse with each passing day. We can choose to stand by and do nothing, or to be part of a historical movement similar to the anti-apartheid campaign against the white supremacist regime in South Africa. By choosing the latter, it can move us forward along the only remaining viable and non-violent road to saving both Palestinians and Israelis from an impending catastrophe"



A jew-hater you think?

Wrong. Isreali professor Ilan Pappe, (a Jew), now working in Exeter University following death threats from Israelis

It's a mistake.

More boring rubbish about the plight of the Palestinians.

Why do they get more coverage than any other issue? Hundreds of people are dying in Uzbekistan, yet that's very much relegated to the midle pages.


In my opinion, many of the pro-Palestinian lot are simply Jew haters. Which means that this comment will never see the light of day...

Was the UN sanction the blockade ? If not, then the Israel government ( also the Egypt government) committed an unauthorized action against their neighbour country. This blockade caused untold damage to Gaza citizens, a Palestinian holocaust. It is about time Israel government stops this illegal action.

61. At 12:38pm on 17 Jun 2010, Avi wrote:
"Wasting my time and yours wrote: You can make up any definition of 'state of war' your imagination can encompass - if your fantasy definition is not recognised by the UN then no state of war exists"

Are .. you ..ACTUALLY implying Hamas, Islamic Jihad & other extremist factions and the state of Israel are NOT in a state of war?

---

One more time for the hard of thinking.

Does the UN recognise that a state of war exists?

No.

Who is responsible for drafting and enforcing international law?

The UN.

Is the Israeli blockade of Gaza illegal?

Yes.

PLease feel free to now make up some fantastical set of circumstances that mean, in terms of international law, that Israel is not acting illegally.

"Go to Google images and look for pictures of the Gaza markets. They are brimming with food. The streets are full of cars. In fact Ismail Haniyeh has asked the "Freedom flotillas" to stop bringing so much medicines and other goods because they have nowhere to store them."



Why don't you go there for a holiday? Try asking the kind Israeli guards if they are ok, and can you get them something from the brimming markets?

64. At 12:42pm on 17 Jun 2010, in_the_uk wrote:

How did we cope before the UN? Was it an unrecognised aggrivated grievance?

--


Oh i see, its UN laws themselves that are wrong.

Quick, cancel the sanctions against Iran.