Israel to ease Gaza land blockade

[azurnoir]

Israel's security cabinet voted Thursday to ease its land blockade of the Gaza Strip, following its deadly raid on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the Hamas-ruled territory.

"It was agreed to liberalize the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza expand the inflow of materials for civilian projects that are under international supervision," the government said in a statement after the meeting.

The new Israeli-approved product list included all food items, toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, mattresses and towels, said Raed Fattouh, the Palestinian coordinator of supplies to the enclave.

The decision does not affect Israel's sea blockade of the coastal strip or its ban on the private import of building materials, vital to widescale reconstruction after the December 2008-January 2009 war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas called the Israeli measures "media propaganda".

<snip>

The announcement did not specify how procedures for the import of commercial goods would change or list any specific products, saying only that cabinet ministers would decide in the coming days how to implement the new policy.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-to-ease-gaza-land-blockade-1.296736

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. Wow! Israel is now letting TOYS into Gaza!

As it stands now, Israel has become the thing it hates. Holding over a million people in an open air prison is disgusting and a permanent stain on the nation of Israel. They are guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Simply ask yourself what kind of nation bans toys for children?

[azurnoir]

2. hey it's a start n/t

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Maybe!

One thing is for sure, the announcement that toys and food will be allowed into Gaza is also a stunning indictment.

[Old Vet]

4. OK, You can have food and toys........................

Wow, Puts things in perspective Huh.

[azurnoir]

5. Conflicting statements from Netanyahu

According to a press release Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued in English, a decision was made Thursday to ease the blockade. "It was agreed to liberalize the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza expand the inflow of materials for civilian projects that are under international supervision," the English statement said.

In the "translation" of the same statement in Hebrew, however, there is no such decision or agreement mentioned. And according to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid of the Haaretz daily, while the discussions spanned a total of six hours extended over two days, no decision was ever actually made.

"Two official statements came out of the Prime Minister's Office in regard to the security cabinet meeting – one in Hebrew for the Israeli media and another in English for the foreign media and foreign diplomats," Ravid wrote. "It is not clear whether this discrepancy was a deliberate attempt to buy time in the face of international pressure, or a clerical omission on behalf of the Prime Minister's Office."

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=292877

so who is Netanyahu trying to BS the Israeli public or "Western" press?