ianstone
06-20-2010, 05:03 PM
Israel Further Relaxes Gaza Strip Blockade
8:29pm UK, Sunday June 20, 2010
James Jordan, Sky News Online
Israel has agreed to further relax its blockade of Gaza and allow more materials and goods to flow into the territory.
A statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netantyahu said Israel will allow all types of goods except for weapons and materials that can be used to make them.
It added that Israel would 'as quickly as possible' publish a list of banned goods and that all items not on the list would be allowed into Gaza.
The new procedures would also include allowing in construction material for housing projects under international supervision, and increasing the flow of goods through Israeli-controlled land crossings.
Speaking on Sky News, Middle East envoy Tony Blair (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Tony%20Blair) welcomed to the announcement and said he hoped the new rules would lead to an improvement in conditions for civilians in the Hamas-controlled enclave.
He said: "The UN projects and the rebuidling projects for Gaza, things like water, santitation, electricity, housing, schools - these projects will now be enabled and go ahead.
"The principles announced today by the Government of Israel will make a big change.
"I would anticipate over next couple of weeks we should potentially have a doubling of material going into Gaza."
The move was also welcomed by the White House which issued a statement firmly backing the announcement.
Dominic Waghorn, Sky's Middle East correspondent said: "Tony Blair has been instrumental in persuading Israel to ease the blockade, using his personal relationship with the Israeli Prime Minister and his reputation as being a friend of Israel to help the government climb down from its hardline position.
"This is probably his biggest achievement yet as Middle East Quartet Envoy.
"Israel still has the ability to keep out anything it regards as dual-use, or which could be used by Hamas in a military capacity. That could include cement for instance urgently needed to rebuild thousands of properties destroyed in Operation Cast Lead, and schools and medical facilities."
Israel government spokesman Mark Regev said: "From now on, there is a green light approval for all goods to enter Gaza except for military items and materials that can strengthen Hamas's military machine."
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Israel Further Relaxes Gaza Strip Blockade
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As long as it is food aid and medic aid, I can live with that. But don't believe they are starving, they are not. It is down to pressure politics nothing more.
8:29pm UK, Sunday June 20, 2010
James Jordan, Sky News Online
Israel has agreed to further relax its blockade of Gaza and allow more materials and goods to flow into the territory.
A statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netantyahu said Israel will allow all types of goods except for weapons and materials that can be used to make them.
It added that Israel would 'as quickly as possible' publish a list of banned goods and that all items not on the list would be allowed into Gaza.
The new procedures would also include allowing in construction material for housing projects under international supervision, and increasing the flow of goods through Israeli-controlled land crossings.
Speaking on Sky News, Middle East envoy Tony Blair (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Tony%20Blair) welcomed to the announcement and said he hoped the new rules would lead to an improvement in conditions for civilians in the Hamas-controlled enclave.
He said: "The UN projects and the rebuidling projects for Gaza, things like water, santitation, electricity, housing, schools - these projects will now be enabled and go ahead.
"The principles announced today by the Government of Israel will make a big change.
"I would anticipate over next couple of weeks we should potentially have a doubling of material going into Gaza."
The move was also welcomed by the White House which issued a statement firmly backing the announcement.
Dominic Waghorn, Sky's Middle East correspondent said: "Tony Blair has been instrumental in persuading Israel to ease the blockade, using his personal relationship with the Israeli Prime Minister and his reputation as being a friend of Israel to help the government climb down from its hardline position.
"This is probably his biggest achievement yet as Middle East Quartet Envoy.
"Israel still has the ability to keep out anything it regards as dual-use, or which could be used by Hamas in a military capacity. That could include cement for instance urgently needed to rebuild thousands of properties destroyed in Operation Cast Lead, and schools and medical facilities."
Israel government spokesman Mark Regev said: "From now on, there is a green light approval for all goods to enter Gaza except for military items and materials that can strengthen Hamas's military machine."
Bookmark the story
Israel Further Relaxes Gaza Strip Blockade
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As long as it is food aid and medic aid, I can live with that. But don't believe they are starving, they are not. It is down to pressure politics nothing more.