France says Israel continues to block aid, diplomats from Gaza

[DogPoundPup]

PARIS, Jan 22 (KUNA) -- France said on Thursday that Israel was still blocking certain humanitarian goods and diplomats from entering Gaza and it reiterated a call on the Israeli authorities to open all crossing points to the Palestinian Territory.
"Concerning our humanitarian aid ... we have noted blockades by the Israeli authorities concerning the passage of certain humanitarian material and diplomats," Foreign Ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux said in response to a KUNA question.
"We call on the Israeli authorities to lift these blockades, given the seriousness of the humanitarian situation." On other issues related to Gaza and the three-week, Israeli onslaught, Desagneaux said that France wanted respect for international law to be applied in the Palestinian Territory, "notably the fourth Geneva Convention relative to the responsibility of the occupying power in the area of protection of civilians." Israel has been accused by many quarters, including the UNRWA, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, among others, of violations regarding civilians, UN installations, hospitals, schools, ambulances and medical personnel.
The use of phosphorous weapons by Israel has also been broadly condemned because of the high density population in Gaza.
Nonetheless, France abstained from a recent attempt to condemn Israel in the Human Rights Council, arguing that the text proposed was not balanced.

more ... http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1970596&Language=en

[Vegasaurus]

1. Militants are still shooting at people protecting the crossings

and stealing the aid.

Didn't I read that yesterday?

[bemildred]

2. Gee, it's almost like they are saying and doing different things. nt