Expectations that Israel would lift its blockade of Gaza were raised amid international outrage over the bloody interception of the “Freedom Flotilla” that set out to deliver aid to the Palestinian coastal territory. The reality so far looks rather different.
Thursday’s announcement by the Israeli national security council does not give enough detail to gauge whether significant change is coming. Liberalization of the system under which civilian goods enter Gaza sounds good: the lifting of restrictions on all food items, toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, mattresses and towels is an improvement for 1.5 million people still living in siege conditions that are relieved only by humanitarian aid and smuggling goods through tunnels from Egypt.
Potentially more significant is the pledge to “expand the inflow of materials for civilian projects that are under international supervision.” But if, as the small print suggests, this means only the UN, the scope will inevitably be limited.
PHOTO: AFP
Both these ideas have been promoted by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, representative of the Quartet — the UN, US, EU and Russia — as has the idea that EU monitors again be stationed at crossing points between Israel and Gaza.
NO TIMELINE
The fact that that was not mentioned suggests Israel remains reluctant to entrust issues connected to its security to others. Nor was anything said about a role for the Palestinian Authority.
The announcement made no mention either of a timeline or monitoring by the international community, nor of permitting the trade and exports that are crucial for rebuilding a shattered economy.
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement that controls Gaza, predictably rejected the announced changes as insufficient.
“What is needed is a complete lifting of the blockade,” said spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. “Goods and people must be free to enter and leave. Gaza especially needs construction material, which must be allowed to come in without restrictions.”
Gisha, an Israeli group, called the move “cosmetic.” Oxfam described it as a “baby step.” The EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, urged Israel to ensure that “many, many more goods can get in to Gaza” but diplomats say privately that they fear weeks or even months of detailed negotiations lie ahead.
DE FACTO CEASEFIRE
The political issue here is that the US and the EU all now insist they want to end an “unacceptable and unsustainable” blockade but still share Israel’s goal of seeking to weaken Hamas, which has more or less maintained a de facto ceasefire since last year’s war, but still holds the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
Refinements of import controls could help stave off charges of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and weaken international condemnation of Israel’s policy as “collective punishment.” But that will not be enough to constitute the breakthrough many had hoped to see.
Israel’s naval blockade remains in force and so do plans, in Europe, Lebanon and elsewhere, for sending more aid ships to challenge it, some as early as next week.
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