Chronic malnutrition in Gaza blamed on Israel

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"The Israeli blockade of Gaza has led to a steady rise in chronic malnutrition among the 1.5 million people living in the strip, according to a leaked report from the Red Cross.

It chronicles the "devastating" effect of the siege that Israel imposed after Hamas seized control in June 2007 and notes that the dramatic fall in living standards has triggered a shift in diet that will damage the long-term health of those living in Gaza and has led to alarming deficiencies in iron, vitamin A and vitamin D.

The 46-page report from the International Committee of the Red Cross – seen by The Independent – is the most authoritative yet on the impact that Israel's closure of crossings to commercial goods has had on Gazan families and their diets.

The report says the heavy restrictions on all major sectors of Gaza's economy, compounded by a cost of living increase of at least 40 per cent, is causing "progressive deterioration in food security for up to 70 per cent of Gaza's population". That in turn is forcing people to cut household expenditures down to "survival levels".

"Chronic malnutrition is on a steadily rising trend and micronutrient deficiencies are of great concern," it said."

more

[shira]

1. Israel is to blame for everything

The hole in the middle of the bagel is also a zionist plot to malnourish and starve Gazans.

Meanwhile, Hamas is never blamed for bombing the crossings - and neither is Egypt blamed for not allowing aid through just a month ago:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/10/2008106132845762868.html

[azurnoir]

2. Isn't a pity

they don't eat fish in Gaza, so much protein wasted :sarcasm:

[shira]

3. yeah, open the ports...

...let all the weapons in so Hamas can start a BIG, BIG war against Israel....more Palestinians die...and then Israel can be blamed for that too. Keep the weapons away from Hamas and let Hamas focus more on getting an economy going, Palestinians live. Nah, probably a bad idea - let 'em fish, ship in the arms, and bang, bang, BOOM! That region has been too quiet recently.

I guess the "pro-Palestinian" opinion these days is to allow Hamas to re-arm and load up so that bigger and badder wars can occur with far more death and mayhem.

Great gameplan.



ps
Sounds like the nifty "pro-Palestinian" opinion for Israel to withdraw NOW from the West Bank so that the rockets can fly from there into Ben Gurion airport so that Israel will fight back, and more Arabs die as a result. Great idea there too.

[wuushew]

6. What type of small arms can destroy Israel?

an impartial arbiter would probably argue that far more innocents are killed as a result of malnutrition than the poorly designed rockets that killed a handful of people in Israel.

Those rocket attacks were the statistical equivalent of being struck by lightening or attacked by a shark.


It not realistic to say that poorly designed ballistic projectiles can't be defended against either, since many navies employ such defense mechanisms. Every year radar technology improves, laser tech improves etc.


Diplomacy would be best served following the coach's advice of walking it off.

[Vegasaurus]

7. If you live in southern Israel

your chances of being hit, or having members of your family hit, or your home or property damaged, by these "small arms", I doubt you would think that the statistical equivalent is a shark attack,

It is a likely occurance.

Massive rocket fire against Sderot and the Western Negev commenced in January 2001, and has caused significant damage to homes and property, while injuring 433 Israeli residents and traumatizing thousands of adults and children.

22 people have been killed in the Western Negev region by the rocket attacks, including 9 residents of Sderot, three of whom were children.

Qassam rocket fire poses a major threat to Israel from Palestinian terrorist organizations who are based in Gaza. As of January 2008, over 8,000 rockets have been launched at Sderot and the Western Negev.

There haven't been 8000 shark attacks in one area in history.

That was a ridiculous attempt at euivocation.

[henank]

8. One doesn't need to go as far back as January

There have been 92 (yes folks, that's ninety two) Qassams in November alone as of this afternoon, plus 64 mortars.

Lots of sharks in these them waters...

[wuushew]

9. I still think the two type of misfortunes can be compared

If you look at Israel as country of over seven million, the odds are rather remote if viewed in context of the entire nation.

[oberliner]

10. How many Gazans have died of malnutrition?

Pretty sure that number is zero.

[shira]

4. Livni: Hamas to blame for Gaza plight

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3623942,00.html

Israeli FM tells British counterpart 'world's responsibility not to turn a blind eye, use all means at its disposal to stop terror'; Miliband expresses concern over continued settlement expansion

Roni Sofer Published: 11.16.08, 21:41 / Israel News


Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni called on the international community on Sunday to make clear to Hamas that it is responsible for the predicament of Gaza's residents.

Human Rights Group

Amnesty, Syria call for end to Gaza blockade / News agencies

Human rights organization demands Israeli government stop 'collective punishment' of Gaza residents, allow supply of goods to resume regardless of rocket attacks on its cities. Meanwhile Syrian President Bashar Assad calls on Arab League to work towards ending the siege
Full Story


Speaking at the start of her meeting with British Foreign Minister David Miliband, Livni said: "These are difficult days. While we are speaking here Israeli citizens are under attack by Hamas. Israel cannot just sit by and watch as its citizens are attacked… when Israel is attacked – Israel must respond."

[shira]

5. The pro-Israel side here aren't the only people who see Gaza as Hamas' responsibility

I wonder if the anti-Israel crowd here really thinks Livni > Netanyahu now.

Quote from Livni in the article:

"Hamas is taking advantage of the situation in Gaza to try and garner international support. The international community must make it clear that this is unacceptable. Just as Hamas is to blame for the attacks on Israel, the group is also responsible for the situation in Gaza."

Right on, sister.

[LeftishBrit]

11. We can argue about who is to blame for this (both sides are IMO) until eternity...

but the more important question is what to do about it.

There needs to be very active work toward peace.

Unfortunately, the Israeli government is in a state of flux, and the Palestinian leaders are divided practically to the point of civil war. Which makes negotiations difficult.

I hope that Livni is elected decisively, and that the Palestinians can at least unite sufficiently to have real negotiations.