Israel lessens blockade restrictions by Claudia Sonea

The Gaza Strip should have been an oasis of peace and tranquility for the refugees of the 1948 Palestinian exodus. Around 1 million Palestinian Arabs lost their homes and all other properties after being expelled by the Israeli government. In addition to the loss suffered, they have been for the past five years kept under isolation from the rest of the world with both Israel and Egypt blocking all access. Mainly the blockaede of the territory started in 2007 when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip. Israel justified the sealing of the borders as a prevention measure against possible Palestinian rocket attacks and ! against Hamas taking hold of other weapons. Egypt refuses to open the borders due to the fact that it would mean the recognition of the Hamas control of Gaza. Nonetheless, the Egyptian government decided to lessen restrictions starting with this month. June also found Israeli government more open to compromises. Indeed, for the change of attitude nine Turkish activists had to lose their lives. The shooting of nine activists on board the Mavi Marmara by the Israeli commandos generated international pressures. In order to avoid more hustle about the incident, Israel agreed to ease the blockade by allowing the passage of civilian goods more easily and in larger quantities. As for the inflow of weapons and weapon material, security procedures will continue to exist. This diplomatic success is the result of the collaboration between the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia that form! the Middle East peace Quartet. Furthermore, an important part! played Tony Blair who negotiated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He once again proved to be not only an extraordinary politician, but also a skilled diplomat. The beneficiaries of the measures are the poor people of Gaza who after being banned from their places, had to submit to a dictatorial government and a smuggling of products then sold at preposterous prices.

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by Claudia Sonea for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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