Just heard on MSNBC that the citizens of Gaza have been cut off from food

[cantstandbush]

and work for 5 weeks (or maybe months).

I just think that Israel, because the Palestinians elected Hamas to power, has turned Gaza into a concentration camp. The sits by and offers nothing to help these people. the entire world is being held hostage by Israel. No matter what Hezbollah does, it doesn't shut people off from survival.

[Malikshah]

1. Actually, the idea of Gaza an an open-air prison camp

predates the legislative elections that brought Hamas to power.

Discussion of the unilateral withdrawal of Israel from Gaza during the last year dealt w/ what Gaza would be like--

The current situation, alas, just exacerbates an already untenable situation.

[On the Road]

2. "Withdrawal" is a Misleading Word

the Israelis have kept just as much control after the pullout as before. For years they have used access to jobs and resources as means of political control. Gaza should connect itself to Egypt, but the Israelis are not going to allow that in any systematic way.

[elias7]

6. actually, it is Egypt that wouldn't allow it

Egypt has not taken them in in the past, the refugee camp maintains unrest in the region, and anti-Israeli sentiment high. Gaza (and all other refugees) has long been a pawn in the ME struggle

[On the Road]

10. Is That Right?

I understand Egypt has not taken refugees or allowed relocation. I was referring to transportation, commerce, and other links with the outside world. I did not realize that Egypt had closed the border from the other side, so to speak.

[Jacobin]

3. Gotta keep the Indians on the reservation

Maybe they'll let the UN feed them before too long, they're so compassionate, and all

[lpbk2713]

4. I wonder what Barbara Bush would have to say about that.

''And so many of the people here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."




Babs is such a compassionate conservative.




:eyes:

[IronLionZion]

5. Hezbollah didn't exist until Israel invaded Lebanon

and it is a little known fact that both Hezbollah and Hamas provide social services for their local communities in the way of food, health care, transportation, police, and even education although it's islamic.

Their motives are debatable as to why they provide these services... but they certainly do and are popular because of it.

[elias7]

8. yes, but

Israel had re-invaded the Lebanon in an effort to control members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) who had settled there and were carrying out attacks on Israel. The whole land issue from the north (syria and lebanon) is the Golan Heights problem. Troops massed there in 1967, but prior to that, from atop the Golan Heights, Israeli towns were being shelled indiscriminately.

[nealmhughes]

7. They are running out of the cooking oil and cracked wheat and rice and

other commodities that were stored. Nobody seems to want to send a relief ship. Nobody. Not the generous Arab oil states, not the Arab League. Not Jordan. Not the UN. Noone.

There are only a couple of million of them without jobs, potable water or electricity. No reason for the Gazans to get huffy...

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Would relief ships be allowed in?

After all, the Israelis have blocked the ports, and fire on fishing vessels if they try to go out.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5934398,00.html

[theHandpuppet]

11. Warsaw Redux

The irony is inescapable.

[theHandpuppet]

12. This is a WAR CRIME

This news needs to be kicked to the top.

SHAME. Shame on us all!