The European Union's Committee on Foreign Affairs urged
IsraelMonday to lift its
siege on the Gaza Strip and open all Gaza crossings immediately.
The council called the blockage "unacceptable," adding that "the situation in Gaza cannot continue."
| Flotilla Probe |
|
| PM: Turkel probe will prove Israel acted lawfully / Roni Sofer |
|
Netanyahu calls cabinet meeting on committee elected to investigate Navy's raid on Gaza-bound flotilla, says he is 'convinced exposing facts will prove to world Israel's aim was to conduct defense operation according to highest standards' |
| Full story |
|
|
|
Delegates from the EU's 27 member states met in Luxembourg Monday afternoon, and discussed ways which would allow them to assist supervising the Gaza crossings.
A statement published following the meeting reiterated the EU's stand and called for the "immediate, prolonged and unconditional" opening of all Gaza crossings, in order to allow humanitarian aid, goods and people in and out of the Strip.
The European Union, said the statement, is willing to contribute to the formation and application of a mechanism which would allow Gaza to rehabilitate its economy.
That, added the statement, could be achieved through regular traffic on land, and possibly by sea, and though strict supervision over imported goods.
The council urges a solution which "considered Israel's legitimate security concerns, including the need to cease all violence and arms smuggling into Gaza."
Addressing the tragic events of the Gaza flotilla, the statement said the council "regrets the loss of life during the Israeli military operation in international waters," adding it denounces all acts of violence.
The EU foreign ministers called for an immediate, impartial investigation of the flotilla's events, as well as denouncedHamas' rocket firs on Israel.
The council also urged the immediate release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, saying that Hamas should – at the very least – allow him Red Cross visitation.
The Quartet's Middle East envoy Tony Blair, who participated in the meeting, added that he hoped Israel will soon lift the three-year blockade from Gaza.
EU sources said that the council believed that there is a chance Israel would agree to open at least one of the Gaza crossings for the regular transport of goods.
European diplomats also ventured that Israel may soon update its list of Gaza contrabands, reducing the number of goods disallowed for security reasons.
According to the sources, Israel rejected the possibility of maritime shipments being inspected by an independent third party, such as Cyprus.
Meanwhile, the Coordination and Liaison Authority said that the volume of goods allowed into Gaza has increased by 10% since the beginning of 2010, as 1,950 trucks were allowed in the Strip in May.
Reuters contributed to this report
Note: I was going to add a few comments, such as, the fact that Gaza has done nothing to demonstrate their willingness to accept Israel's right to exist; still holds Gilad Schalit prisoner after over 3 years; continues attacking Israel; and uses the press/media for propaganda and lies about Israel - all this suggesting to any any rational person that Gaza does not wish peace. Its goal is the same of its supporter, Iran - to wipe Israel off the map.
The EU needs to step back and mind its own business and allow Israel to handle their own safety measures in order to prevent more Israeli deaths. If the EU wants to meddle in the affairs of this blockade, perhaps they should speak to Egypt - a country that supports the blockade and does not send in aid to the PA's living in Gaza.
Lastly, my suggestion would be for Israel to CEASE IMMEDIATELY driving in truckloads of aid to Gaza; continue the blockade; and force either Egypt or the other Arab nations to assist those "poor" Hamas terrorists, since all the world has gone mad and has bleeding hearts for terrorism in the Middle East. If their Arab brothers do not wish to help Hamas Terrorist organization, even better! It may force Hamas to melt down their weapons and turn them into farming tools, so they can become productive citizens in their own land. (Well, actually, its not their land but land handed to them on a silver platter by Israel, in order to bring peace to the Palestinians. Look how well "land for peace" turned out!! And now, the world, including the West, is demanding Israel turn over more land for peace - ha ha !! It's worked so well so far, hasn't it?!)
Bee Sting
Now, here are a few comments posted to this article on YNetnew.com
 |
|
|
|
| Ynet |
|
1. Egypt Too? Is Egypt included in these pleas? I mean, after all, Egypt has been turning goods away from its border as well. Or is this just an anti-israel thing? It is all just a show to appease the terrorists anyway: there is no shortage of truly essential goods coming into Gaza via Israel. Maybe it is better to ask Hamas to end their siege against their own people by not distributing it and end their military siege against Israel. |
|
2. Are these are the same feckless Europeans who have allowed 40000 rockets into Lebanon that want "to cease all violence and arms smuggling into Gaza"? Might as well let the fox guard then hen house. Bibi should tell 'em to butt out!
| Charles , | Cleveland | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
3. EU FAC was pretty damn quiet when Hamas declared war and rained over 10,000 rockets on the civilians of Israeli cities. Notice their demand ends at Israel and mentions nothing about the reason for the blockade in the first place? Simple answer - Hamas ends the war (which changes their charter) and releases Shalit, siege will be lifted and the Intl community can monitor Gaza's peaceful reconstruction.
| William , | Israel | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
4. If the EU love the Terrorist they . . . Should move them to Europe. The Gaza situation must be resolved. All the land belong to the Biblical Israel. Gaza is a bad invention with no future. The Gaza org. is not for Industry, education, trade or anything else, than Terror for export. Basta !
| AlbertoGA , | St. George, USA | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
5. Strange Europeans, Tell Hamas There is only a partial blockade. If Hamas and its affiliates would not be shooting rockets and mortars into Israel and prepare and perpetrate terror acts there would not have been a blockade. If Hamas would stop the terror and release Gilad Shalit the partial blockade would be lifted. Why don't the Europeans telt that to Hamas? Their calls for unconditional lifting of the blockade look like they're saying terror is allowed.
| Frankie Littlehammer , | New Herstal, TX, US | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
6. crossings Why not get Egypt to open their crossings. Why does Israel have to take the heat for a blockade?
| John , | Sunbury USA | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
7. I agree. Make the disengagement complete, let us stop supplying goods, food, medications, cash, medical care, electricity and water. Let the world care for them from now on, we're done with them. Let us build a high, gateless wall, with moats around it - filled with crocodiles!
| Bat Zion , | Centre, Israel | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
8. Eurotrash, go to hell! We'll listen to you just as soon as the E.U. permits free movement of people and goods between itself and, say, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. Deal? Didn't think so. The blockade MAY be lifted once Gilad is back with his family and once the rulers of 3Aza recognize Israel and permanently renounce violence. Until then, cry me a river.
| Michael Steiner , | Bahrain | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
9. The truth There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Convoys of trucks continuously bring food, clothing, medicine and other essentials to the population. Israel provides this aid even though the ruling Hamas regime calls for Israel's destruction, targets Israeli civilians with missiles, holds kidnaped soldier Gilad Shalit and indoctrinates its populace in Nazi-like hatred of Jews and Israel. In order to know more facts about Israel and the Arab world : http://xrl.us/bhokxw |
|
10. Recognition of Gilad Shalit and the threat to Israel by Hamas are positive signs that the EU is finally recognizing our (Israel's) concerns.
| Robert Haymond , | Israel/Canada | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
11. The situation in Gaza cannot continue? Neither can the suicide bombings, shelling and mortar file within and into Israel. The blockade stays, until the squatters can behave.
| The White Shadow | | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
12. Next Month In the next month world war 3 will break out, or Israel will collapse or both. |
|
13. Free Gilad Shalit IMMEDIATELY |
|
14. 1,950 trucks in May, eh? All coming from Israel. How many trucks carrying humanitarian aid did Egypt send through Rafah in May? How much fresh water did Egypt provide in May? How much electricity? How much packaged goods, food and fresh produce? How much medicine? How much blankets? Right. Not one. Keep that in mind, European Union -- NOT A SINGLE BLESSED ONE. So keep your incredibly hypocritical opinions to yourself.
| Sarah B , | U.S.A. / Israel | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
15. To: No. 12 You need a new crystal ball. The scenario is far more likely to be "next month, Iran and its client terrorist organizations (Hamas and Hizbollah) will be fully and finally destroyed, and the world will heave a great big sigh of relief."
| Sarah B , | U.S.A. / Israel | | (06.14.10) |
|
|
16. Admit Turkey into EU unconditionaly And immediately. |
|
17. #12 thanks, I wouldn't have said it better |
|
|
19. EU= another of Terrors best friends Israel should view the EU as an enemy for sure it is nothing less and Blair and Ashton their pro terrororist "ambassadors" |
|
