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Subject Israeli aid boat attack ‘has opened world’s eyes to Gaza’s plight’
Poster Handle .timesonline.co.uk
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Israel’s botched commando raid has succeeded in doing the one thing that Tel Aviv will have wanted to avoid — drawing attention to the Jewish state’s harsh three-year blockade of Gaza.



The more than 10,000 tonnes of aid that the flotilla was attempting to deliver to Gaza will now be reviewed by Israeli authorities, who could then deliver it to Gaza via their own channels. Much is likely to be withheld, and Israel’s military has confirmed that it will stop all future attempts to breach its blockade of Gaza, regardless of the international outcry over yesterday’s violence.

As international criticism of the Israeli response to the flotilla grows, many are focusing their attention on the blockade.

David Cameron, British Prime Minister, has criticised the “heavy loss of life” resulting from Israel’s raid on an aid ship, and has discussed lifting the blockade with Israeli officials.

The UN has called for an impartial investigation into Israel’s handling of situation, and a top UN official has asked that Israel end its “counterproductive” and “unacceptable” blockade.

Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said that the world had to examine the origins of the flotilla – the blockade imposed on Gaza when Hamas militants wrested control of the area in 2007.

Israel patrols the coast off Gaza and has enlisted Egypt to control all Gaza’s land crossings. Israeli officials say that the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from obtaining supplies that can be used for nefarious purposes, including attacks on Israel.

Palestinians see the blockade as a deliberate attempt to punish Gazans for supporting Hamas, and to try and weaken the Hamas base of power.

Local shopkeepers in Gaza have joked about the goods allowed in – while facial soaps and low-fat yogurt are allowed, coriander and instant coffee are banned as luxury goods. Other items, such as frozen salmon, had never reached Gaza before the blockade but comes in significant quantities now.

Critics say the blockade has not only failed to dislodge Hamas, but has hurt Gaza's poor and made reconstruction virtually impossible after Israel's devastating three-week military offensive in the winter of 2008-2009.

Though entire neighbourhoods were levelled, Israel restricted building supplies – particularly cement – from reaching Gaza. Total supplies crossing the border with Israel have remained at one quarter of pre-blockade levels, according to UN officials.

An additional two boats set sail today to try and reach Gaza, but Israel shows no signs of relenting.

One top Israeli Navy commander told the Jerusalem Post newspaper that Israel would use even more aggressive force in the future to prevent ships from breaking the sea blockade.

"We boarded the ship and were attacked as if it was a war," the officer said. "That will mean that we will have to come prepared in the future as if it was a war."

[link to www.timesonline.co.uk]
 
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