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July 6, 2010

Israel Partially Eases Gaza Blockade Ahead of White House Meeting
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The Israeli government has partially eased the blockade on Gaza just
ahead of today’s visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s to the
White House to meet with President Obama. Billed as a "kiss-and-make-up"
session, the meeting marks the first time the leaders have met since
Israel’s deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship in May. Under Israel’s new
rules, most consumer goods will now be allowed into Gaza but
construction equipment is still barred. In addition, the sea blockade
will continue and Palestinians will still be barred from exporting
anything from Gaza. 
UN Mideast Envoy Robert Serry praised the slight easing of the blockade.

Robert Serry: "Well of course this is something we have been looking
forward to for a very long time. I don’t know how many times I’ve been
telling the security council that the situation in Gaza is unsustainable
and that the blockade was unacceptable and also politically
wrong-headed. So the decision now by the Israeli government to
substantially ease the closure regime can only be welcomed by me. Of
course we have to see it also happen on the ground."

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said the people of Gaza will remain
under siege until the blockade is completely ended.

Sami Abu Zuhri: "We demand that Obama put real pressure on Netanyahu to
lift the siege on Gaza and to stop demanding simply for allowing more
goods into Gaza because this does not change anything, but rather
cements the policy of the siege."



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