Report: Lieberman changes policy, invites European diplomats to Gaza

If Israel wants to be treated like a mature western democracy Israel should begin acting like one. You don't build "settlements" outside your borders and expect to avoid attention. You don't board boats in international waters, kill the people on board and claim to be a victim of trickery. You don't kill over 1000 civilians in a vast open air prison which you control and expect people to ignore it. Israel merits far more resistance then is currently being experienced. Hopefully the international community will take up the slack and expel Israel from the community of civilized nations.

Israel's problem with the blockade is that Israel has no long term goal but maintaining the status quo forever. If Israel would freeze construction in Jerusalem and cut a deal with the PA which would include lifting the blockade, then the blockade would have some tangible value. But if Israel's electoral politics makes that a nonstarter, then what is the point of the blockade? A blockade in and of itself won't get rid of Hamas. Keeping weapons out of Gaza does not require a full blockade of all but basic food and medicine. It's a pity that Isael's right wing is so strong and self defeating that it will never make peace on any of the standard land for peace arrangements that have been discussed for almost 20 years, but if that's the reality, what is the point of making Gazan day to day lives more difficult than may be necessary in the short term?

"without prejudice to its own security," How many countries on this planet are not concerned with their own security. If Hamas were not firing rockets at Israel they would not need a blockade on Gaza. When Israel gets rockets fired at its people the world says nothing. When Israel defends itself the world is in an uproar. Isarel, you do want you need to do defend yourself, God has your back.

This group is one of the more perceptive and intelligent groups in Europe.Their obvious lack of thinking and foresight, in general, pretty much dooms any chance of the EU or Europe surviving intact or peacefully over the next few years.

Can anyone provide a fair or honest answer to why Israel should act without prejudice to its own security? Would Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia or Jordan act without prejudice to its security? Who will ensure Israel's security if Israel acts without prejudice to its own security?

These are the same bleeding-heart parliamentarians that will rush out to grab some popcorn and glue themselves to news channels when their desired no-questions asked blockade is fully lifted, Gaza has become armed to the teeth with deadly, long-range weapons, and Israel has to bear its sensitive jugulars once more to Islam's sharpened sword. Wake up Europe before you face the same onslaught in your own countries!

Apply the rule of law. Stop the punishment of 1.5 million people for a few rocket launchers. Assist an economic recovery and reconstruction.

Did 9 Turks have to die for the EU to act? Didn't Tony Blair know the result of the blockade and how many Palestinians dies because of it?

Indeed Israelis are highly educated people. I assume that educated people are open for dialogue! Also, if so many countries state the same thing: arrange normal living conditions for Gaza, then Israel should not ignore this.

That's the problem with European views as it has already been in good old times of Orientalism. I admit, to some extent I also cannot but have my own views and develop ideas for solutions to the ongoing conflict, but when I look at the EU, I wonder if they are interested at all in what the people in the region think: Israel, Hamas, people like Amira Hass, are all sceptical if free flow of goods will improve much for the persons in the region.

is all for abolishig of sovereign state of Israel.

Hey Israel is a sovereign nation just like you and has a right to blockade terrorists from entering their country. What you and the rest of the world need to do is cut the lip service and accept Israel's right to exist and reign in the anti-semitism that you continue to incite through your words and deeds. And wipe the arab oil off your lips and speak with honor and truth and use some of that come-upance to tell the other Mideast countries to open their societies and recognize Israel's right to exist and protect it's rich and lasting history and citizens.

if turkey were shooting missiles at Italian cities i doubt this genteel Italian parliamentarian would be so pacifistic. BTW someone should inform these numskulls that both Egypt and palestinian authority do not want unbridled imports into Gaza without security checks to assure no weapons or materials used to enhance the terrorist capabilities of Hamas getting in.

The Council of Europe parliamentarians Thursday called on Israel to completely end its siege of the Gaza Strip, days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an ease of the land blockade.

Israel has stopped several ships filled to the brim with advanced weaponry being shipped to palestinian terrorists. You expect us to let it through?

Maybe PACE could insist along with the "no prejudice to its own security" that Israel disarm itself completely because having armed Israelis might be "manifestly disproportionate" to the unsupervised safety of those terrorists seeking the open and wanton destruction of Israeli citizens. At least PACE didn't need or show any interest in facts on board the flotilla in order to make this decision.

Blockade isn't working anyway. And people there also needs construction materials to repair IAF bombed residential and infrastructural buildings. This can also wake an opinion that Israel is becoming rational.

Blockade isn't working anyway. And people there also needs construction materials to repair IAF bombed residential and infrastructural buildings. This can also wake an opinion that Israel is becoming rational.

What planet are these people on?! Last time I checked, Hamas calling for Israel's destruction and the slaughter of Jews, plus firing thousands of rockets at Sderot (among other civilian targets) didn't constitute "dialogue" by any recognisable definition of the word. If they want Israel to commit suicide, why can't they at least be honest enough to say so?

The Blockade was not made for sport. It was etablished to weaken a terrorist regime. In that regard, the blockade works. Furthermore, what is offered to Israel for lifting the blockade? Will Hamas return the Israeli soldier that is captive, Gilad Shalit? What is Hamas willing to do to help thier population? What is Egypt being asked to do in lifting the blockade? Don't ask for a lift of the blockade from Gaza by Israel for sport, The message to Hamas is simple; Free Gilad and care about your citizens more than your weapons.

Hot air and more hot air. They must have been part of teh UN at one time. A lot of jaw jaw nothuing of susbstance except Israel must fo this and that. Offer some solutions dont just be moutpieces with stupid comments. Come and tell us exactly what you think should be done. Eitjher be part of teh solution or be part of the problem... so far they are part of the problem

"Lift the blockade without prejudice to your security" sounds much like "make bricks without straw." Sounds like Europe has decided to assume the role of Pharoah. However, we can tell him (them) where they can stick those bricks.

I want to see how they would let Iran install its rockets right by their capitals. When I think about it, they would deserve it.

So far, Israel has decided to allow into Gaza all item except those fit for military use. What remains of the "siege" is allowing the Export of finished goods even if raw materials can come in, as well as movement of Gazans in and out of that territory (subject to security restrictions. The inability to export essentially destroys the Gaza economy, rendering the population destitute and in need of food relief. And here is a legal opinion (by the UN's Human Rights Council): "The [Goldstone] Report states that Israeli acts that deprive Palestinians in the Gaza Strip of their means of subsistence, employment, housing and water, that deny their freedom of movement and their right to leave and enter their own country, that limit their rights to access a court of law and an effective remedy, could lead a competent court to find that the crime of persecution, a crime against humanity, has been committed"- unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/0/9B63490FFCBE44E5C1257632004EA67B?opendocument In any event, the prevention of ships going into Gaza is justified by security concerns. The ports of Ashdod (Israel) and El-Arish (Egypt) are near the Gaza strip and should be used instead.