New power line to connect Israel and Gaza

[Scurrilous]

After Israel bombed Gaza generator, new power line to be built between Israel and Gaza. The funding: Palestinian tax funds withheld by Israel

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3316213,00.html

<snip>

"Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer has approved Tuesday the construction of a high-voltage electrical line connecting the Israeli city of Netivot and the Gaza Strip in order to help restore electricity there.

The line, planned to be 9.5 kilometers (6 miles) long is supposed to supply the Gaza strip with 50 megawatts of power and will be funded
entirely by the Palestinian Authority. The funds for the project will most likely be taken from the taxes Israel has been withholding from the Palestinian Authority since Hamas came to power."

<snip>

"The line was planned even before Hamas came to power in the Palestinian Authority but was suspended after the Israeli government decided to freeze all related projects.

According to sources in the ministry of Infrastructure, Ben-Eliezer decided to renew the project in an effort to ease the humanitarian suffering of the residents of Gaza. "The lack of electricity in Gaza is creating a huge humanitarian problem among the residents," Ben-Eliezer said."

[breakaleg]

1. If they take the funds from the money they are withholding from

the Palestinians, that would be shameless. They have no power plant because Israel destroyed it, and for no good reason. And to make them pay for it, when they desperately need that money for other things is outrageous!

[Behind the Aegis]

2. The PA was planning to pay for it.

Therefore, using the monies currently held will keep the PA from having to pay upfront while they wait for the tax money to be released.

[breakaleg]

3. But if they hadn't bombed the original power plant, would this have

been necessary? And shouldn't Israel rebuild the power plant for free since they destroyed it for no reason?

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Considering it was in plans before Hamas came into power...

it seems this was in the works for awhile. So, it is not a matter of "necessity" in the way you are using it. As for the power plant, that is a sticky wicket.

[breakaleg]

5. Sticky wicket? Do you mean outright lie?

Because there was NO justification for destroying it.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. No.

I say that because it is insured and will be rebuilt.

[breakaleg]

7. I see. Well, in the meantime, they have no electricity, so the

problem is still a pressing one.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. They do have electricity.

The problem is that is being rationed, so this project is sorely needed, which is why the Israeli government has approved its building.

[pelsar]

9. egypt?

seems to me inorder to prevent future problems...they should connect to the Egyptian Grid.....

[newyorican]

10. Would not any infrastructure from Egypt...

be subject to destruction since the GOI does not possess access to the on/off switch?

[pelsar]

11. nope....

since attacking egypt would be the samething as declaring war on Egypt......and Egypt has a strong govt, army and does what it can to mostly prevent attacks upon israel from its territory. Israel in turn respects the border....thats how peace works between nations.

the problem with Egypt attaching itself to Gaza is precisely that......and Egypt does not want that attachement....