Gaza Strip in Darkness
Writes ck on January 21st, 2008
Read More: International, Israel/Palestine, Politics
Israel continue their hypocritical defence of their security by adding to the plight of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip by severing fuel supplies to the power station supplying 60% of the areas power. Access to the Gaza Strip has been stopped since last week even to aid workers and a representative of the UN on Morning Ireland spoke of the now serious threat of a humanitarian crisis as over a million people are denied basic services. Israel rightly have to defend themselves against the rocket attacks launched from the occupied area, however they ignorantly disregard their continuing expansion into the Gaza Strip and economic restrictions as the accelerant for these attacks. Again, they seem to view themselves as being held to no higher a standard than the terrorists they wish to eliminate in their moves to protect democracy and the security of their citizens. Collect punishment of an entire society, as retaliation against militants, is beyond reproach yet only those on the ground blockaded against bringing aid to those in need speak out. BBC coverage
0 Jean G Jan 21st, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Your comment, though evoking a powerful image of Israeli oppression, is unfortunately rooted in sentiment and not any form of fact-based evidence.
Your article fails to mention that the Gaza strip is currently under the control of Hamas which has pounded southern Israeli settlements with daily rocket fire since Israel’s voluntary withdrawal from the area in 2005.
70% of power supplied by Israel (64% of Gaza’s total power supply) is supplied by electricity cables and these were never compromised. Israel only suspended the supply of fuel in an effort to curtail the transportation of weapons.
The action by the Israeli government is ceasing tomorrow as planned, before water and sanitation is compromised and before food and medical supplies reach dangerous levels. However, there is a possibility that the blockade will resume is rockets continue to fire on Israel. Therefore, the ball is effectively in Hamas’ court: stop attacking us and we will stop hurting you.
Surely your concession that their actions are to “protect democracy and the security of their citizens” automatically elevates the Israeli government above those who seek to undermine democracy and show little regard for human life.
While I do not wish to see a humanitarian crisis erupt in an already vulnerable area, your Comment paints a one-sided and inaccurate portrayal of the situation.
0 simon Jan 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Jean isreal aredoing the same mistake that the Brits did in Northern Ireland for decades mistaking the people for Hamas
this blockade by Israel is not hurting Hamas it is hurting the people who will only turn to Hamas for protection. Read up on the British armies attivities circa 1971. IRA had little support British army had more support then the IRA amongst catholics. IRA attacked the brits thought all catholics were the IRA, acted accordinly. A hell of alot of catholics started turning to the IRA for protection. If you think that cutting water supplies will lessen Hamas support and increase Israels you are very nieve. I myself am not israels greatest detractor certainly not on CK’s scale but they just don’t seem to get the idea of hearts and minds.
0 ck Jan 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
There is a terrible irony about the impossibility of the whole situation. Hamas are reliant on a State they refuse to recognise for their survival and Israel are compelled by international commentators to open the blockade so as to potentially allow the supply of fuel that may be used to transport weapons. The situation is one where children on both sides of the divide are afraid to leave their houses. I choose to hold Israel to a much higher standard, as an elected government seeking to ensure security and the viability of a peace process they cannot respond in ways that so blatantly violate human rights. I am of course in no way exempting Hamas from an obligation to move to stop the rocket attacks. The actions of Israel, should rise above PR spinning of Palestiniahn motives. They control the borders, air space and much of the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip so defensive actions should be more focused and considerate of the needs of an already deprived society.