{"id":7,"date":"2008-11-18T22:45:25","date_gmt":"2008-11-19T05:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/?p=7"},"modified":"2008-11-18T22:45:25","modified_gmt":"2008-11-19T05:45:25","slug":"the-real-goal-of-israel%e2%80%99s-blockade-of-gaza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/?p=7","title":{"rendered":"The Real Goal of Israel\u2019s Blockade of Gaza"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n<\/span>\"\"<\/a>
\n By Jonathan \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCook<\/em>
\n<\/strong>T<\/strong>he \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlatest \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttightening \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof Israel\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tchokehold on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza \u2013 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tending all \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupplies \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinto the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStrip for \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmore than a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tweek \u2013 has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tproduced \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timmediate \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand shocking \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsequences \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor Gaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1.5 million \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinhabitants.<\/p>\n

The refusal \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto allow in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfuel has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tforced the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshutting \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdown of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s only \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpower \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstation, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcreating a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblackout \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat pushed \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalestinians \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbearing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcandles on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstreets in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprotest last \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tweek. A \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twater and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsanitation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcrisis are \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\texpected to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfollow.<\/p>\n

And on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThursday, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe United \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNations \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tannounced it \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thad run out \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof the food \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tessentials \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tit supplies \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto 750,000 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdesperately \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tneedy Gazans. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThis has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbecome a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblockade \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tagainst the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnited \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNations \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\titself,\u201d a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tspokesman \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsaid.<\/p>\n

In a further \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblow, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlarge Bank \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHapoalim \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsaid it \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twould refuse \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tall \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttransactions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twith Gaza by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe end of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe month, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\teffectively \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timposing a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfinancial \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblockade on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tan economy \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdependent on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe Israeli \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshekel. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOther banks \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tare planning \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto follow \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsuit, forced \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinto a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcorner by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdeclaration \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin Sept 2007 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof Gaza as \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tan \u201cenemy \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentity\u201d.<\/p>\n

There are \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlikely to be \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfew \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twitnesses to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdescent into \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ta dark and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thungry \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twinter. In \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe past \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tweek, all \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tjournalists \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twere refused \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taccess to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza, as \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twere a group \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof senior \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEuropean \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiplomats. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDays \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tearlier, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdozens of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tacademics \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand doctors \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdue to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tattend a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconference \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto assess \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe damage \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdone to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGazans\u2019 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmental \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thealth were \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talso turned \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tback.<\/p>\n

Israel has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblamed the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlatest \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trestrictions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof aid and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfuel to Gaza \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ton Hamas\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tviolation of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ta five-month \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tceasefire by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlaunching \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trockets out \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStrip. But \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael had a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thand in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshattering \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tagreement: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tas the world \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twas \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdistracted \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tby the US \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpresidential \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\telections, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe army \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinvaded \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tkilling six \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalestinians \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprovoking \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe rocket \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfire.<\/p>\n

The \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thumanitarian \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcatastrophe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgripping \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlargely \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunrelated to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe latest \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttit-for-tat \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstrikes \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbetween \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNearly a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tyear ago, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKaren Koning \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbuZayd, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcommissioner-general \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof the UN\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trefugee \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tagency, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twarned: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cGaza is on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthreshold of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbecoming the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfirst \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tterritory to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tintentionally \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\treduced to a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstate of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tabject \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdestitution\u201d.<\/p>\n

She blamed \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstrangulation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdirectly on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael, but \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talso cited \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinternational \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcommunity as \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taccomplice. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTogether \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthey began \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblocking aid \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin early \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2006, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfollowing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe election \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof Hamas to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thead the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalestinian \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAuthority \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(PA).<\/p>\n

The US and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEurope \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tagreed to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe measure \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ton the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprinciple \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat it \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twould force \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe people \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof Gaza to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trethink \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttheir \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupport for \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas. The \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlogic was \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupposedly \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsimilar to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe one that \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdrove the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsanctions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tapplied to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIraq under \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSaddam \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHussein \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthrough the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1990s: if \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcivilians \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsuffered \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tenough, they \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twould rise \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tup against \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinstall new \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tleaders \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tacceptable \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto Israel \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWest.<\/p>\n

As Ms \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbuZayd \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsaid, that \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmoment \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmarked the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbeginning of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinternational \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcommunity\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcomplicity \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin a policy \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcollective \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpunishment \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof Gaza, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdespite the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfact that \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe Fourth \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGeneva \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConvention \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclassifies \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsuch \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttreatment of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcivilians as \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ta war crime.<\/p>\n

The blockade \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thas been \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpursued \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trelentlessly \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsince, even \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdesired \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toutcome has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbeen no more \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tachieved in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza than it \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twas in Iraq. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInstead, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentrenched \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tits control \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand cemented \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe Strip\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tphysical \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tseparation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFatah-dominated \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWest Bank.<\/p>\n

Far from \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\treconsidering \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tits policy, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tleadership \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thas \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tresponded by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tturning the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tscrew ever \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttighter \u2013 to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe point \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhere Gazan \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsociety is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tnow on the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tverge of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcollapse.<\/p>\n

In truth, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thowever, the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgrowing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcatastrophe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbeing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunleashed on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza is only \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tindirectly \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trelated to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas\u2019s rise \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto power and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe rocket \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tattacks.<\/p>\n

Of more \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconcern to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhat each of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthese \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdevelopments \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trepresents: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ta refusal on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe part of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGazans to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tabandon \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttheir \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tresistance \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto Israel\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcontinuing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toccupation. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBoth provide \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael with \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ta pretext \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor casting \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taside the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprotections \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toffered to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcivilians \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunder \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinternational \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlaw to make \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthem submit.<\/p>\n

With \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tembarrassing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttiming, the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsraeli \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmedia \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trevealed at \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe weekend \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat one of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe first \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tacts of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsmail \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHaniyeh, the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas prime \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tminister \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\telected in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2006, was to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsend a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmessage to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe Bush \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhite House \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toffering a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlong-term \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttruce in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn for \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tan end to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsraeli \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toccupation. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHis offer \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twas not even \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tacknowledged.<\/p>\n

Instead, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taccording to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe daily \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJerusalem \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPost, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsraeli \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpolicymakers \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thave sought \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto reinforce \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timpression \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat \u201cit \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twould be \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpointless \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor Israel \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto topple \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbecause the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpopulation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t[of Gaza] is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHamas\u201d. On \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthis \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthinking, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcollective \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpunishment \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tis warranted \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbecause \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthere are no \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttrue \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcivilians in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza. Israel \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tis at war \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twith every \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsingle man, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twoman and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tchild.<\/p>\n

In an \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tindication \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof how \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twidely this \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tview is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshared, the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcabinet \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiscussed \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlast week a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tnew strategy \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobliterate \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGazan \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvillages in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tan attempt \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto stop the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trocket \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlaunches, in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tan echo of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiscredited \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsraeli \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttactics used \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin south \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLebanon in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tits war of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2006. The \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinhabitants \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twould be \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgiven \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twarning \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbefore \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tindiscriminate \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshelling \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbegan.<\/p>\n

In fact, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdesire to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tseal off \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tterrorise \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tits civilian \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpopulation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpredates \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\teven Hamas\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\telection \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvictory. It \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcan be dated \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto Ariel \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSharon\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdisengagement \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof summer \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2005, when \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFatah\u2019s rule \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof the PA \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twas \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunchallenged.<\/p>\n

An \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tindication \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof the kind \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof isolation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMr Sharon \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpreferred \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor Gaza was \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trevealed \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshortly \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tafter the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpull-out, in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDec 2005, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhen his \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tofficials \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfirst \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tproposed \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcutting off \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\telectricity \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStrip.<\/p>\n

The policy \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twas not \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timplemented, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe local \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmedia \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpointed out \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tat the time, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tboth because \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tofficials \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsuspected \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tviolation of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinternational \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlaw would be \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trejected by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tother \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tnations and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbecause it \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twas feared \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat such a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmove would \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdamage \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFatah\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tchances of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twinning the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\telections \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfollowing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmonth.<\/p>\n

With the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvote over, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thowever, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael had \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe excuse \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tit needed to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbegin \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsevering its \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tresponsibility \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcivilian \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpopulation. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt recast \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tits \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trelationship \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twith Gaza \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom one of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toccupation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto one of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thostile \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tparties at \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twar. A \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpolicy of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcollective \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpunishment \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat was \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsidered \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttransparently \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tillegal in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlate 2005 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thas today \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbecome \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstandard \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toperating \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprocedure.<\/p>\n

Increasingly \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstrident \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttalk from \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tofficials, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tculminating \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin February \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdeputy \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdefence \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tminister \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatan \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVilnai\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinfamous \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tremark about \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcreating a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cshoah\u201d, or \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHolocaust, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin Gaza, has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbeen matched \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tby Israeli \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmeasures. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe military \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbombed \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\telectricity \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplant in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJune 2006, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand has been \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tincrementally \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcutting fuel \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupplies \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tever since. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn January, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMr Vilnai \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\targued that \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshould cut \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toff \u201call \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tresponsibility\u201d \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor Gaza and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttwo months \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlater Israel \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsigned a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdeal with \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEgypt for it \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto build a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpower \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstation for \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSinai.<\/p>\n

All of these \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmoves are \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdesigned \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twith the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsame purpose \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin mind: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpersuading \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe world \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toccupation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof Gaza is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tover and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat Israel \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcan \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttherefore \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tignore the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlaws of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toccupation \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand use \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunremitting \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tforce \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tagainst \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza.<\/p>\n

Cabinet \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tministers \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thave been \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tqueuing up \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto express \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsuch \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsentiments. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEhud Olmert, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor example, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thas declared \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat Gazans \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshould not \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbe allowed \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto \u201clive \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tnormal \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlives\u201d; Avi \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDichter \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbelieves \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpunishment \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshould be \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinflicted \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cirrespective \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof the cost \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalestinians\u201d; \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMeir \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSheetrit has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\turged that \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshould \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cdecide on a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tneighbourhood \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin Gaza and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlevel it\u201d \u2013 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe policy \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiscussed by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tministers \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlast week.<\/p>\n

In concert, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael has \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tturned a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trelative \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblind eye to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe growing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsmuggling \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttrade \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthrough \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttunnels to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEgypt. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGazans\u2019 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmaterial \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twelfare is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfalling more \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\theavily on \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEgyptian \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshoulders by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe day.<\/p>\n

The question \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tremains: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhat does \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\texpect the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tresponse of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGazans to be \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto their \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timmiseration \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand ever \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgreater \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinsecurity \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin the face \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof Israeli \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmilitary \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\treprisals?<\/p>\n

Eyal Sarraj, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe head of \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaza\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommunity \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMental \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHealth \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProgramme, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsaid this \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tyear that \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael\u2019s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlong-term \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgoal was to \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tforce Egypt \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto end the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcontrols \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talong its \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshort border \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twith the \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStrip. Once \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe border \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twas open, he \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twarned, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cWait for \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe exodus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCook is a \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twriter and \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tjournalist \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbased in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNazareth, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael. His \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tnew book is \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cDisappearing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalestine: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsrael’s \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExperiments \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin Human \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDespair\u201d \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Zed Books). \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHis website \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tis \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twww.jkcook.net.<\/p>\n

This article \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toriginally \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tappeared in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe National \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(www.thenational.ae), \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpublished in \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbu Dhabi.<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Jonathan Cook The latest tightening of Israel\u2019s chokehold on Gaza \u2013 ending all supplies into the Strip for more than a week \u2013 has produced immediate and shocking consequences for Gaza\u2019s 1.5 million inhabitants. The refusal to allow in fuel has forced the shutting down of Gaza\u2019s only power station, creating a blackout that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18,"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7\/revisions\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.hpff.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}