• Published 20:59 08.03.10
  • Latest update 21:33 08.03.10

Israel agrees to let UN chief, EU commissioner enter Gaza

Ban and Ashton to enter blockaded strip to give aid, in first approved entrance since 2008 Gaza war.

By Barak Ravid and Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel news Gaza war

Israel has agreed to grant United Nations secretary general and the European Union's foreign policy commissioner entry visas into the Gaza Strip, the first time it has acceded to such a request from international officials since Operation Cast Lead in December 2008.

The Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that the two unusual entry permits were granted to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the European Union's foreign policy commissioner Catherine Ashton.

"In response to the unique requested submitted by the UN chief, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and the EU Foreign Policy commissioner, Lady Catherine Ashton, Israel has decided to permit their entrance into the Gaza Strip for close inspection of humanitarian aide work," the Ministry's statement wrote.

Foreign Ministry sources added that Lady Ashton would enter the Gaza strip first during her visit to the Middle East next week.

Ban is scheduled to arrive in Israel within the next few weeks, during which he will also cross the border into Gaza.

The reason for the unusual permits is reportedly to ease the international pressure on Israel relating to blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The British stateswoman, who has also served as the Commissioner for Trade in the European Commission, said earlier that in the EU's view: "East Jerusalem is occupied territory, together with the West Bank."

Ashton demanded that Israel immediately lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip, and reiterated that the union opposes the existence of the West Bank separation fence, as it opposes evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem.

The stateswoman, whose full title is Baroness Ashton of Upholland, also only defined Israel's partial freeze of West Bank settlement construction as a "first step," as opposed to the warmer description of the move by EU foreign ministers, who last week took "positive note" of it.

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  • 27. 0 0
    # 26 Labhras Ireland
    • The Teacher/Instruct
    • 09.03.10
    • 16:27

    # 26 Labhras Ireland. Some people have a knack 0f covering their own eyes wilh wool,but remove it & look through a magnifying glass when it concern others. Northern Ireland,also called Ulster is still under the yoke,or if you'd prefer, the thumb of GB. Jerry Adams,that bearded guy,couldn't set Ulster free,with all the terror,bombings & murder against innocent civilians & unarmed British police. But,who was his erstwhile friend ? No less than another criminal Muamar Kadafi from Lybia. Wonderful bed brothers. A lesson in modesty: Look inside your own soul before slinging mud at others !

  • 26. 0 0
    #12 The Teacher/Instruct agreed for once
    • Labhras
    • 09.03.10
    • 11:22

    "The UN. Part of the UN condone terrorists & murderers"TTI They have not changed one bit since they condoned Israeli leaders terrorism by allowing them to join the united nations family. The rest of your post is laughable and nonsense. Par for the course---oh teacher.

  • 25. 0 0
    Liliane Israel needs bashing--it has earned a good bashing
    • Labhras
    • 09.03.10
    • 11:18

    and keeping people out will only serve to increase the bashing. Why dont you get out of Europe if you dont like what "OUR" European leaders are doing. It is not as if you are a loyal European. Bon Voyage---dont let the door hit you on your way out.

  • 24. 0 0
    The UN Ha! Ha! Ha!
    • The Teacher/Instruct
    • 09.03.10
    • 10:07

    The UN. Part of the UN condone terrorists & murderers like that in Africa where unsung thousands upon thousands of Christians are being slaughtered every month by Moslems. 80 % of the UN is controlled by Arab & Moslem States. No wonder Israel finds herself in the jaws of this monster. Millions of people are killed or were killed every year around the world,but the focus is only on Israel. The UN is actually taking part in murder. A true organization of Human Rights should be put up in Jerusalem. Only here can justice become a reality. "For behold,the Lord will come with fire and with his chariots like a whirlwind,to render his anger with fury,and his rebuke with flames of fire".

  • 23. 0 0
    The UN created Israel
    • UN
    • 09.03.10
    • 09:20

    Some people here seem to forget a very important fact: the UN they keep bashing turned Israel into a member state in 1948. Without the UN? Israel would never have become a country or anything. Showing a bit of respect might be a good idea.

  • 22. 0 0
    Israel still occupies Gaza
    • Occupation
    • 09.03.10
    • 09:18

    Israel controls Gaza's land and sea borders, as well as its airspace. It also keeps Palestinian people from moving freely between the West Bank and Gaza. This is called an occupation.

  • 21. 0 0
    Why not?
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 09.03.10
    • 09:04

    We all understand that 'Cappy Obama' will do what ever his massa asks. That the UN will never have the balls, or the ability to sanction Israel. Nor will it ever be able to declare that Israel has failed to meet the minimum requirements of an occupying power, and thus the occupied are free from the jackboot of occupation. The UN was intended to be a sham. A harmless debating society which wold allow the 'winners' of the Second World War to rule - subject only to the veto of each - while pretending any other people or nation mattered. To that extent it works. Israel - given the unquestioned veto of the USA - has the impunity intended for the 'big five.' The UN could declare the Occupation illegal any day. And Netanyahu's groveling slave Obama would veto.

  • 20. 0 0
    #5 Just about everyone is these days, Liliane
    • WeCan2
    • 09.03.10
    • 08:44

    But instead of just being angry about it, why not look into some of the reasons why they are, and maybe even lend your voice to the many others who care about Israel enough to call for it to change the practices, policies, and injustices that are leading to that hostility. It's those things that people are hostile towards, Liliane; not Israelis, or even Israel.

  • 19. 0 0
    Liliane - So?
    • Mark of Lewiston
    • 09.03.10
    • 08:38

    Israel never gave up its status as occupier. Either she goes in through Israel or does like the Irish, and goes through Egypt. Last I heard, the Wall was in the West Bank, not Gaza. What is the point you are trying to make?

  • 18. 0 0
    About time we have someone listing to the Palestinian side
    • Abdalla
    • 09.03.10
    • 06:46

    It only took 65 years

  • 17. 0 0
    She will bash Israel. She is hostile to Israel
    • Liliane
    • 09.03.10
    • 06:26

    She hates Israel and ignores that the Wall has saved many Israeli lives. She is hostile to Israel.

  • 16. 0 0
    un
    • daniel cohen
    • 09.03.10
    • 06:20

    you have to be kidding me!permission for ban to go to gaza to witness the illegal suffering of people fighting for their freedom? completly ridiculous.

  • 15. 0 0
    Else They'd Go Thru Egypt
    • Mark of Lewiston
    • 09.03.10
    • 06:03

    Israel said "no" to the Irish so they went through Egypt. Egypt acted sovereign. So now Israel is allowing some others in.

  • 14. 0 0
    Have Ban Ki and Baroness UpHolland ever advocate NV?
    • NV NV NV NV
    • 09.03.10
    • 04:07

    very curious whether the un and european leader have ever invested a penny into promoting education in NV and leadership without violence in Gaza? their visit will just extend the era of tyranny of barbaric hamas / tehran .........

  • 13. 0 0
    UN leaders
    • Mbuta
    • 09.03.10
    • 03:26

    send them to Nigeria. Muslim tribes are murdering with axes Christian farmers and nobody cares. In contrast, Zionists fight terrorism and it is all over the news... and the UN makes some declaration and does not do a thing about systematic massacres of villagers in Africa. Is it for the UN leaders that Christian Nigerian farmers' blood is less important than that of a terrorist Arab?

  • 12. 0 0
    Occupation?
    • Dave
    • 09.03.10
    • 02:25

    I thought gaza was not occupied any more. How come Israel gives permission for Israel to enter and exit gaza, course there is no occupation.

  • 11. 0 0
    Irish Showed Egypt's Independence
    • Mark of Lewiston
    • 09.03.10
    • 01:41

    The Irish PM got in thru Egypt after the Foreign Ministry said "no." Funny that. Maybe Egypt showing some independence is the way to get some other things done.

  • 10. 0 0
    Ashton
    • Louis Fried
    • 09.03.10
    • 01:16

    You can expect more uninformed and antagonistic remarks from this non-entity. The easy part is to allow Ashton into Gaza.Then we will have to listen to the usual "Euro trash talk."

  • 9. 0 0
    Entry visas to Gaza ?
    • christa
    • 09.03.10
    • 01:04

    Then why not ask Israel to grant entry visas to Lebanon as well ? Anyway, I don't understand why one should ask Israel to grant entry visas to Gaza. Does it mean that Gaza is actually an Israel dependency ? If so, Israel should make every effort to promote economic and social development in Gaza.

  • 8. 0 0
    Israel aggrees to grant visas to enter the Gaza?
    • Damian Lataan
    • 08.03.10
    • 23:28

    Surely, since Israel boasts about how it left the Gaza for the Palestinians to have, it is up to the Gazan government to issue visas to visitors. This can only mean that Israel are still the effective occupiers who say who can enter and who can't enter what is now a ghetto under Israeli control. Please, no more garbage about 'Israel giving the Gaza back to the Palestinians'. Clearly, this is nonsense.

  • 7. 0 0
    Tread carefully Israel.
    • Stephen.
    • 08.03.10
    • 23:03

    For the waters are treacherous. Lady Ashton is no friend of democracy. She is outspoken, full of thunder and most of all a Pan Arabist. I have just returned from London. All agree that the UK is a breeding ground. For, the Global Jihad. Those folks are talking about some serious problems, that the British will face, soon enough. Even though, the liberal minded leaders are a minority, remember the story of the scorpion and the frog.! For those that do not know the story. I will enlighten you later in this forum. Good night from freezing Swiss Alps.

  • 6. 0 0
    either these two nuts are suicidal OR
    • michelle
    • 08.03.10
    • 22:59

    they're the biggest hypocrites on Planet Earth, bar none, with full plans to go in armed to the teeth with as many Israeli soldiers and tanks as can fit into Gaza! Still, I'm glad they're going. They should go see firsthand about this 'foreign aid' and see the situation for themselves. If they survive it to tell the tale, it will only be thanks to IDF soldiers, whom they'll have to see in a new light afterwards.

  • 5. 0 0
    Israeli Permission
    • Rose
    • 08.03.10
    • 22:49

    Nice to know that Israel maintains total control not only over Gaza, but over the UN as well.

  • 4. 0 0
    Britain
    • Anon
    • 08.03.10
    • 22:31

    Has Britain ever partitioned a country which it took by force, implemented security fences, barriers call it what yo will........... Shalom

  • 3. 0 0
    Into occupied Gaza?
    • Helen
    • 08.03.10
    • 22:24

    How did it come to that, that the UN chief has to be granted a permission to enter illegally occupied territory by the occupiers+?

  • 2. 0 0
    Oh my God!
    • Mohammed
    • 08.03.10
    • 22:06

    This can't be good.

  • 1. 0 0
    prison visit
    • n
    • 08.03.10
    • 21:36

    It is really nice that Israel permits the visit of one the most important representatives of the world. Israel must realize that the world is well aware of the permanent disregard of international laws and human rights. The visits of the UN chief and the EU commissioner will further support the need to put the war criminals of Israel to trial.