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But that's a drop in the bucket....
Gaza continues to be under siege. Although I understand and am well aware of the position of the Israeli Government, what is clear is that the people of Gaza have not been getting the supplies. Even school textbooks are on the list of banned material that the Israelis do not allow in. But the Viva Palestina Convoy did get through. It got through after quite a struggle though.
What I found disturbing was how the Egyptians blocked the Viva Palestina Convey. The fact that one person died was one person too many. The convoy has finally made its way to Gaza. Aid is being distributed. What I hope will happen is the Palestinians will reconcile and figure out how to responsibly govern themselves going forward. The wild card continues to be the Israelis. The Israelis are continuing their settlement building and have continued their disregard of the wishes of the International Community in general and the Obama Adminstration in particular.
One Convoy got through. But, as George Galloway noted it is only a drop in the bucket.
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Keeping my Fingers Crossed
I have seen some slight rays of hope over the last 24 hours. The whole world rose to condemn Israel for its part in the Gaza War. Yet, the only countries to speak against the Goldstone report were Israel and the United States. But, it appears that Israel is coming around.
Out of all the absurd things that came out of Israel, I thought the charge of Judge Goldstone being an Anti-Semite was the biggest fraud of all. Judge Goldstone is a South African Jew and the report I reviewed was just as critical of Hamas as it was of Israel. I welcome the apparent decision by Mr. Netanyahu, the Prime Minister, to convene an inquiry though. This at least will tell the world that Israel is listening. The possiblity of Israeli officials being subject to arrest when traveling is something that has to be prevented. I have seen reports that a number of Israeli Ministers could not travel because of an apparent threat of arrest.
I will withhold judgement until I see what the final result is. Despite the profound reservations about Mr. Netanyahu's rhetoric, I still do hold out hope for some breakthrough in peace. But, this hope is tempered by the continued Israeli policies which is cause for concern. The latest report by Amnesty International about Israel denying Palestinians water is a cause for alarm.
The storming of the Al Asqa Mosque is also very disconcerting. But, again, the world will just stay silent.
The bigger issue though is the fact that the Palestinians can't get their act together. The latest useless Egyptian mediation effort has again broken down. The Palestinians don't seem to realize that they have got to figure out a way to unite. This division is only serving the political ends of Israel and will only harm the cause of peace.
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Should the Children Suffer?
Gaza continues to be under a crushing blockade. There have been so many false starts to get Palestinians to get their act together that hope continues to diminish by the day. The Israeli Government has continued its policies in direct conflict and defiance of the efforts by the Obama Adminstration to get things back on track. The useless Egyptians have been "trying" to get things back on track. I was glad to see the video of Sgt. Shalit, the captured Israeli soldier. Hamas at least has had enough sense to treat the Soldier reasonably humanely. Israel continues to detain thousands of Palestinians without charge, though.
As this "stand-off" goes on, the only people who continue to suffer are the Chldren. I have just reviewed a report from Human Rights Watch available at Really Long Link that details the predicament of the Gaza Children. Israel tells the world that it has imposed a blockade for Security. Yet, kids have no books, no pencil or paper to go to school. How does kids not being able to go to school, study and try and make something of their lives is against Israel's security? I wonder what Mr. Lieberman and the Prime Minister have to say to that
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Not Surprised...frankly disappointed!!!
THE UN Fact finding mission has come out with its' report on the GAZA war. The conclusions are quite chilling. Judge Goldstone talks about it in this interview:
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Israel continues to the be lone ranger of the world. I have read with horror the decision by teh Government of Israel not to step up to open up the borders. The scenes from Gaza are horrific. They remind me of the scenes coming out of Germany after the Second World War.
The President, at the State Department, put out a challenge to everyone. What I found lacking was the committment by the President to take away the need to have tunnels, the need to smuggle and the need to fight. Gaza has been under siege for over 2 years. Hamas overreacted and the results were devastating. But, that is yesterday. There has to be a committment to move forward
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Mike Pouraryan
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