tangentlama
Nameless voices crying
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/21/gaza-egypt-tunnels-smugglers-israel
How can Livni fly to Europe to get European help in enforcing this 3 year siege and help prevent smugglers using tunnels to bring much needed foodstuffs into Gaza?
In 2009, we now know that the Hamas is capable of enforcing a ceasefire to prevent rocketeer factions, and we know Israel is capable of illegal acts such as extra-judicial assassination which more often than not, kill innocent bystanders.
We know Israel has long avoided the issue of defining it's borders and continues to expand the illegal settlements in the occupied territories against international law.
Israel also denies enough Humanitarian Aid from reaching the Gaza strip. In their latest operation, we've seen the deliberate, wanton destruction of UNWRA stores of food and countless other war crimes.
We know that Israeli govt. has already (2002, led by Likud) denied that there will ever be Palestinian state, and that they're not sincere in the two-state solution, nor have we seen any positive movement from Israel towards implementing a two-state solution.
The settlements continue to expand in the occupied territories and here they are, asking EU to help them in their collective punishment of Gazans! (Also illegal under International Law).
Israel lets aid in, but at a level well below what is required. Is it any wonder that Gazans resort to smuggling. Israel considers non-essential items thus:
If this were Britons being subject to gas/electricity shortages, food shortages, then we'd view those who smuggled in electricity generators, heaters, food, even cigarettes and chocolate (and stockings) as welcome siege-breakers.
My honest view is that Britain and EU should not capitulate to Israel's demands and press instead for an end to the blockade. The special "tariff free" arrangement should be ended and duty should be paid. I can walk into Sainsbury's and there I can see West Bank dates on the shelf. (2003:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/26/israel.eu).
With Israel still able to play hooky by holding out paying taxes and customs duties to PA, first in 2006 "because Hamas won the election" (2006: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4669266.stm), then in 2008, because Fayyad dared to speak out about Israel's financial injustices and infractions of International law, regarding the continuing expansion of settlements, the separation "fence", and the withholding of monies owed to the PA (2008: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/991248.html)
Britain/EU dealings with Israel and Israel's exports/tax-withholding/collective punishments are a mess and need to be revised.
What are your views?
How can Livni fly to Europe to get European help in enforcing this 3 year siege and help prevent smugglers using tunnels to bring much needed foodstuffs into Gaza?
If the borders were opened and Palestinians had their own sovereign state (which they have not got yet) then it would be easy to understand the desire to end smuggling due to it's avoidance of customs & excise tax and potential for illegal arms smuggling.
But today does anyone approve of Israel demands of the EU & Britain to help it to enforce it's blockade on Gazans?A commerical smuggler said:
Back in 2007, the situaiton was already dire:
So why does EU/Britain assist Israel with this collective punishment?Telegraph said:
In 2009, we now know that the Hamas is capable of enforcing a ceasefire to prevent rocketeer factions, and we know Israel is capable of illegal acts such as extra-judicial assassination which more often than not, kill innocent bystanders.
We know Israel has long avoided the issue of defining it's borders and continues to expand the illegal settlements in the occupied territories against international law.
Israel also denies enough Humanitarian Aid from reaching the Gaza strip. In their latest operation, we've seen the deliberate, wanton destruction of UNWRA stores of food and countless other war crimes.
We know that Israeli govt. has already (2002, led by Likud) denied that there will ever be Palestinian state, and that they're not sincere in the two-state solution, nor have we seen any positive movement from Israel towards implementing a two-state solution.
The settlements continue to expand in the occupied territories and here they are, asking EU to help them in their collective punishment of Gazans! (Also illegal under International Law).
Israel lets aid in, but at a level well below what is required. Is it any wonder that Gazans resort to smuggling. Israel considers non-essential items thus:
The situation has worsened considerably since 2007.Telegraph said:
If this were Britons being subject to gas/electricity shortages, food shortages, then we'd view those who smuggled in electricity generators, heaters, food, even cigarettes and chocolate (and stockings) as welcome siege-breakers.
My honest view is that Britain and EU should not capitulate to Israel's demands and press instead for an end to the blockade. The special "tariff free" arrangement should be ended and duty should be paid. I can walk into Sainsbury's and there I can see West Bank dates on the shelf. (2003:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/26/israel.eu).
With Israel still able to play hooky by holding out paying taxes and customs duties to PA, first in 2006 "because Hamas won the election" (2006: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4669266.stm), then in 2008, because Fayyad dared to speak out about Israel's financial injustices and infractions of International law, regarding the continuing expansion of settlements, the separation "fence", and the withholding of monies owed to the PA (2008: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/991248.html)
Britain/EU dealings with Israel and Israel's exports/tax-withholding/collective punishments are a mess and need to be revised.
What are your views?
