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January 5, 2011

WikiLeaks: Israeli Blockade Meant to Keep Gaza on "Brink of Collapse" 
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Newly released classified U.S. diplomatic cables from Wiki Leaks reveal
that Israeli officials openly told U.S. diplomats that the aim of the
blockade of Gaza was to keep Gaza's economy on the brink of collapse.
According to a November 2008 cable, Israel wanted Gaza's economy to be
"functioning at the lowest level possible consistent with avoiding a
humanitarian crisis." In addition, the Wiki Leaks cables reveal the
United States offered to transfer $70 million to Gaza in November 2008
in an attempt to ease the economic situation. However, Israeli Major
General Amos Gilad refused to allow the transfer, saying that the
Palestinians should not receive anything. The cables were first reported
by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.



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