Israel allows clothes, shoes into blockaded Gaza for first time

While I think it is fine for you to point out how Israelis have helped others overseas and around the world the most important measure- ment of a state's humanity is how treat its peoples treat others among them and on this level Israelis have proven to be brutes... Dutch

for being such a friendly occupier! Already after 3 years! This is memorable!

"...it will be a cold day in hell before anyone rises to rescues(sic) the Jews again.." If you read history on occasion or are old enough to remember WW2,the world did not do a very great job of rescuing Jews.I do not think the "world" considers the Jews to be viscious,considering the major efforts made by Jews in the assistance given to many nations,including those considered to be unfriendly during the tsunamis,earthquakes,and other disasters that have plagued the earth in recent years.Assistance by Jews to others has been described by the Jewish Bible.Then again,ignorance,prejudice and hatred have been directed against Jews since the time of the pharaohs.So you'll have to stand in line.But we have survived when others have disappeared.

They are the neighbors from hell in my book ... Dutch

I imagine it will be a cold day in hell before anyone rises to rescues the Jews again..How viciously cruel they show themselves to be. Dutch

I probably shouldn't tell you this, but anyone who doesn't understand the difference between the US action against Cuba and blockade would be more charitably described as retarded because the alternative is to say the person is knowingly and with malice aforethought distorting the truth (lying). Imputing lack of mental ability is more kind.

.. in the world in happiness, and also is among the best in terms of life expectency (77.7 years). Too bad that Gaza doesn't even show on the NEF/HPI map - it's just shown as part of Israel. So there is no way to compare the well-being of Gazans to the well-being of Cubans. I realize I'm going out on a limb, but I think that Gaza would not be too close to the top of the happiness or longevity index. Do you disagree? As others have said already, yes, the US policy to Cuba is stupid. But it's not a blockade in the first place, and it's got just about... one other similarity to Gaza, maybe. Plenty of areas in which the US has been hypocritical to the injury of others. Cuba, not so much.

that delivers goods to a sworn enemy that actively shoots at it. Think about that for a second. Did Hitler send any shoes or food to London? Did Tokyo send the USA anything but bombs? No matter how much history I read, I can't find anything quite like Israel's assistance to people that have absolutely no gratitude in receiving it.

Congratulation, so you found a way for preventing Palestinians to throw shoes at you, because - so far - all I have been hearing is that the blockage was due to security measures!

So the Gazan blockade is more severe than the US blockade of Cuba. Well, well. How many rockets have the Cubans shot at the U.S. in the last 50 years? How many rockets have the Gazan Arabs shot at Israel in the last 24 months? See the difference? By the way, Asa, usually in my experience, people who call others retarded when making a point, don't really have much of a point to make and so they resort to childish insults instead of basing their opinions on facts and logic. You seem to fall into that sort of error.

"And what about members of the Arab League? Why haven`t they donated shoes and clothing to their friends, the Palestinians?". Of course they have. The entire world sends basic needs to the people of Gaza, but Israel won't let it through to them. I mean surely you don't think the Israelis actually bought these shoes and clothes?

Frankly I despise US efforts to restrict trade with Cuba. But the attempt to classify that as a blockade comparable with the closing down Gaza's borders is an insult and a lie. Cuba does business with anyone willing to do business with Cuba. Gaza makes the news when a small shipment of clothes and shoes gets through. I hope this isn't what Obama and Netanyahu meant when they talk about when they agreed to gestures to the Palestinians to restore an atmosphere capable of supporting negotiations with the Palestinians. Awww, did you give the refugee a blanket (or neglect to steal it)!

If one person gave one item toward clothing the impoverished we could cloth everyone in Israel. The people would be warm or cooler.Take a semi tractor trailer to every home or a bag with the clothes on the block with shoes.A pick up will be arranged.We can afford to pay a little to sort them out then distribute by sizes to the homes of those who need them in GAZA to give them a new life chance. They are people too. We need to help our families who have lost it all as well which is not fair I know. We need to create change.For those burned out do to rockets.Everyone look and see what they want to get rid of tax deduction by government and we can cloth and feed our nation without borrowing more money.Can we get amish to build new homes for GAZA as well.Can we rebuild a nation not hate.We can organize this drive as the teens social giving fund and they can split as community service.Check on our elders and our babies.WE need folic acid for pregnant women.West Bank as well.Karoon-Lamb

Israel isn't paying for these items. Israel is merely the gatekeeper to blockaded Gaza. Even Egypt is restricted by the terms of its peace agreement as to what enters the blockaded area. As Egypt continues to close the smuggling routes, it becomes more evident that Israel is a major human rights violator.

Dear Fireman you completely missed the story which you in fact did not read.It is about the partial lifting of the Israeli blockade enforced for the last 3 years, just to allow 10 trucks of shoes and clothing for 1.5 million gazans,goods surely not paid by Israelis.Try to read care fully sir before commenting and twisting the facts .

cubans out of their houses ,towns,farms how many cubans died because of blocade acually if a cuban gets to the U.S we give them food, money and asylum we see in gaza if you try to leave you get shot so don't you dare try to compare israel to the U.S.A our motto is justice and eqaulity for all. israel is justice and eqaulity for jews only

The 1963 U.S. embargo was reinforced in October 1992 by the Cuban Democracy Act (the "Torricelli Law") and in 1996 by the Cuban Liberty and Democracy Solidarity Act (known as the Helms-Burton Act) which penalizes foreign companies that do business in Cuba by preventing them from doing business in the US.

People seem to forget that Egypt is the other border. These shoes and clothes allowed in now are through the auspices of the UN. This newspaper made it sound as though no shoes and clothes entered Gaza before which isn't true.

If Gaza is dependent on goods from Israel, why do they continually shoot rockets into Israel? If Egyptians and Gazans are really brothers, why is Egypt shutting down the tunnels and causing more hardship? Why doesn't Egypt simply annex Gaza and end the problems? Israel certainly wouldn't miss it. If USA purchases Egyptian policy as claimed, is the tunnel sealing really a USA policy?

While last night's Seder meal is still fresh, remember not only the human beings who were enslaved in Egypt thousands of years ago but also the human beings who are enslaved today in Palestine. Tell me how dare I compare, I will tell you an Israelite mother who lost a son because of the Pharaohs suffers the same of a Palestinian mother who lost a son because of the Israelis.

Dear utagawa ... you must be joking. You forgot to mention that the US does not blockade Cuba. They have their own sanctions against doing business with them, that's all. I hope you not too retarded to understand this difference. The Cubans are happy to whatever they want, go wherever they want, and buy whatever they wish (as long as it in not from US). They can fly over the US to Canada - if they wish to.

Egypt is going to go through a huge change with the next election and the feeling on the street towards Israel and the Gaza siege is nasty. To be dragged in to the war crimes being committed by Israel is setting deep under Egyptian skin. The Palestinians are still their brothers, and government policies like the fence we are seeing built at the Rafah border just re-enforces that Egypt is on the wrong path.

The US policy toward Cuba is stupid. However, Cuba is not blockaded by the US from the rest of the world, as you know. The US simply does no business with Cuba. Cuba can get whatever it wants from the rest of the world. Gaza cannot.

Israel took a giant step here.

just goes to show that the whole blockade is really a random collective punishment. I can understand the logic of not shipping weapons to Gaza but shoes, clothes, pasta, toiletpaper where's the logic? There is none! It's just random collective punishment.

Are we going to send more aid to Egyt. Look t the money lost

How about adding pasta and a more dignified way of living in 1.5 million jars for the next shipment?

The U.S.A. has been blockading Cuba for the last 50 years, yet I don't hear you whining about that. Hypocrisy got your tongue? And the Cubans aren't even lobbing rockets into the U.S. or trying to kidnap their soldiers. Gaza is 10 million times more threat to Israel than Cuba is to the U.S. yet your silence is deafening.

"Israel is under international pressure to relax its blockade, which the United Nations says punishes Gaza's 1.5 million people" imagine the shoes and clothes are coming from pressure of all the failures.

but the facts are preventing people from even having pasta or clothes or shoes any form of basic things. for 3 years is always wrong why ? because they are angry at being under siege ? Gaza is still under occupation they cannot even do anything in Gaza without getting a caste lead III response for the trigger happy reactions of few guys that see people moving around. There has to be a clear progress in some direction keeping Gaza like a prison and still expecting peace while you torture them is inhumane and extremely cruel Gazan people are stuck on a hard place... no matter the place west bank or Gaza or east jerusalam its all being attacked and occupied. so this is not a "moderates or terrorists issue" or safety

Spot on, Miggy !

fact is this whole siege is disgusting and egypt is going to go trough major changes the old Leadership of egypt cant keep going with the siege. so The whole israeli abusive tactic needs to change. 2 state solution was your best pick for peace.... anything else will lead to your demise. its reality but little to none accept it.

In my opinion, Hamas Leaderships needs take precedence to providing needy Gazans with shoes and clothes. The lion's share of any money donated to Gaza by the European Union, for example, first finds its way into Hamas coffers, for the purpose of providing Leaderships's needs. In effect, Leadership controls the purse strings at the expense of Native Gazans. Making and paying for weapons takes precedence to supplying shoes and clothes to those who need them. And what about members of the Arab League? Why haven't they donated shoes and clothing to their friends, the Palestinians?

You ask "What is to stop the Gazans from gaining their freedom through revolution?" It's "revolution" when it's against Hamas and suits your ends - it's "terrorism" when it's not. Israel is the one they need to be free of, not Hamas. Israel is the one who is blockading them and bombing them whenever they feels like it (or when there's a national election coming up).

More evidence of Israel's disdain for the truth. For three years they've been saying that only material that could be weaponised was being blocked.

.. begins with one step. Shoes could help. Only irony or tears can touch the core of this story. Not even hope can get close.

How very decent of them, how about giving the Palestinians their country back.

I can see why Israel should be worried about shoes. But clothes as weapons ??? Maybe a nice IDF spokeslady could explain.

shamefull, this is not anti simitic its anti human

How timely! After having had such a lousy run of bad PR, what with the Biden affair, Dubai, etc, Israel should seize every chance to shout this from the rooftops. Reuters, speeches to AIPAC, photo-ops by Bibi and (especially) Lieberman, should be used to the fullest to convey to the world the incomparable humanity of this badly misunderstood Nation. Clothes!. shoes!, what a noble gesture for peace.

Thrilled. But be careful! Those terrorists could use these materials to build you know what.

They have a responsibility to history not to do that. Dribbling goods at a whole people is not bound to create good will. All those daily cruelties have not brought Israel closer to peace.

'those lovely people of Israel are so considerate. Finally new shoes for the Palestinians lest they should step on the shattered glass and metal pieces of their flattened homes. Who said Israel is heartless?' Don't get carried away. I don't even need to scan the article to know it wasn't Israel that paid for these items.

Up until now, the only thing that has been blockaded are materials that could be used to make weapons of terror. So how'd they change the design of the shoes so that they can no longer be fired at Sderot? They DID change the design, didn't they? You didn't just let in a load of terror-capable shoes, did you?

... is exactly what Hamas strives for, and reading these talkbacks so far, it is working 100%. What is to stop the Gazans from gaining their freedom through revolution? It is how a lot of great societies were formed.

Then they wonder why they build tunnels to smuggle stuff in. Kids are wearing 3 yr old shoes and clothes. Liars and thieves claiming that they were holding back items that can be used as weapons. These things are not usable as weapons. Can the world see clearly now how cruel the state of israel is/has been? This is nothing compared to what has occurred that we dont know about and have yet to have heard about. Just wait and see once investigations begin.

"you mean Israel never allowed clothes or shoes in until now? thats unbelievable, is there any more proof require that this is collective punishment, or maybe they thought Hamas could use the shoes and clothes to build a weapon in a McGiver like fashion." Cmon now you should know that the clothes can be formed into crude slingshots and the shoes can be thrown at the invading IDF or loaded onto a trebuchet and launched in great numbers. Shoes can also be used for kicking when placed on the feet. The brave IDF may possibly get scuffed in the fray

Really? Why the hell were these 'banned'? Probably the same dubious reason as pasta eh?

The world loves you for this selfless generosity.These shoes could be used to kick your collective Israeli behind.

Some additional "military" blockade facts: no rule but blockaded goods were: cars, refrigerators, computers, cement, concrete, wood, glass, light bulbs, candles, matches, books, musical instruments, crayons, clothing, shoes, mattresses, sheets, blankets, pasta, tea, coffee, fruit juice, chocolate, nuts, shampoo, conditioner, and toilet paper According to the World Health Organization, one third of children under five and women of childbearing age are anaemic June 2009 the UN said only half the cooking gas needed was allowed in. Research by Oxfam shows houses across Gaza without power for between 4% and 33% of the time. In early June 2009, 28,000 people were still without piped water. The blockade is a major factor in the "dire state" of much of Gaza's medical equipment.

Israel is probably claiming (rightfully) that Crayola Missiles are more dangerous than Katushas, thus the much needed blockade on the militarily-related crayons and children's books. Encoded within the Barney Coloring Books and Mickey Mouse paperbacks are the blueprints to Lieberman's brain. This is the true danger to allowing the aforementioned reading material into Gaza...

What a beautiful celebration, happy families and friends at the table, the four questions, the cups of wine, fabulous food, songs--the retelling of the fabulous tale of slavery and freedom. And yet today, in the very land that tribal legend says that God gave to Moses, the natives are ironically suffering in ways reminiscent of the travails of the Hebrews. In Exodus, it is said that the Egyptians forced the Hebrews to build cities for them. Who is forced to build the settlements in order to have money to live? Palestinians. The Egyptians treated the Hebrews harshly, yet they continued to multiply, like the Arabs, who are not vanishing. Pharaoh ordered that the Hebrews could not have straws to make bricks. The Gazans cannot have concrete to rebuild their homes, schools and businesses. Maybe it is time to look around and see that we are all the same and that no man can tyrannize another.

Ten truckloads of shoes and clothing for 1.6 million people. Isn't Israel so kind? No doubt Pharaoh Netanyahu thinks so.

those lovely people of Israel are so considerate. Finally new shoes for the Palestinians lest they should step on the shattered glass and metal pieces of their flattened homes. Who said Israel is heartless?

This is great headline and more people buy newspaper to read . Look at publicity Isreal is getting they are giving shoes and foot to those that are starving and going barefoot. Those poor smugglers what are they gping to do??????????

This is the proof that Israel is the most morally country in ME. Finally the Palestinians can wear new shoes and cloths in their houses destroyed by the IDF. Many thanks to your generosity!!!

News like this show what Israel's blockade has been all about. Shame on whoever that has been supporting this war crime, from Israel and Egypt to U.S. and EU.

This is very generous of Israel. After all, clothes and shoes were blockaded because Hamas could have used them as weapons.

This is a dangerous step because clothes and shoes can be used to build rockets to attack Israel.

Careful about sending shoes. Remember Bush in Iraq?

... that we denied these folk clothing and footware, as if they had not been punished enough... Is the type of 'military blockade' that we favour?...

you mean Israel never allowed clothes or shoes in until now? thats unbelievable, is there any more proof require that this is collective punishment, or maybe they thought Hamas could use the shoes and clothes to build a weapon in a McGiver like fashion.

How full of kind and integrity the state of Israel is...it will allow gazans to wear brand new clothes and shoes!! Thank you, thank you Israel...

israel maintains its blockade on gaza, and so prohibiting the influx of shipments of all kind of goods, from cement to books, so that israel will make its cruelty more manifest to the eyes of the world. israel has already been harshly critised many times, but to na avail.