Israel lets clothes into Gaza for first time since Hamas takeover

I'll continue on this one As your continually referencing to "yards" as the standard of measurement, as an "Aussie", surely you know Australia's has been on the metric system since the early '70's Bouncing doesn't just mean bounching, they're launched upwards and spray their contents outwards The closest you've ever been to a mine, is looking at pictures, therefore you don't have the vagugest idea of their capabilities

Video was removed for TOS violations Anyway, why should I believe the Video, filmed by Hamas, and we only have their word for where it was taken, could have been any time, anyplace, includig when Cast Lead was ongoing Since they had control of the film, they could have altered it to suit themselves and most probably did Other than you, who most certainly wasn't there, who is to attest that the so-called mines weren't mortar tubes, planted level with the ground, aimed at Israel, to be set off by remote control Feel free to discuss ordnance, you have a lot to learn

That's right! It's a commercial shipment. The first that's been allowed in since Hamas took over. Sure is mighty kind of Israel to allow it - after how many years now? So now tell us, how long do you think the shelves remained stocked after Israel began its blockade? And crayons, writing tablets, toilet paper, feminie knapkins, formula, etc, etc, etc? How long? What a stupid comment!

what does this tell us? 1. it's no care shipment but a commercial shipment which happened here (for the first time since hamas took over), 2. obviously the merchants' stocks were still quite full which means: there was not exactly a shortage of clothes. so, all those who start crying about the "hard lot" of the palestinians in view of this news should first think about...

What you neglected to mention is the many times that Gazan's have attempted to smuggle in arms disguised as foodstuffs and other household goods Better yet, send a link or two showing a hungry Gazan or one walking around in rags (ther than an obvious bum)

Raher odd, you who slways seem to claim what the UN had to say as being equivalent to Gospel, are now refuting the Un Partition Plan which called for both a Jewish & Arab state to exist side by side Facts prove it was the Arabs that attacked Israel in 1948 (an in subsequent wars) causing the Arab to lose territory instead of realizing their dreams of conquering Isreli land You sure do write a lot, for somebody that ignores history and facts on the ground

These were goods stuck in Ashdod because of Gaza rockets. Entry from Egypt I am sure.

have absolutely nothing to do with the kidnapping of Shalit. Nor with the ongoing sporadic rocketfire. Don't make a difference. If you live in Gaza according to Israeli logic you are guilty of those crimes and thus is collective punishment fair game. Because what else would you call it?

didnt you know that egypt doesnt exactly like hamas since it's an offspring of the moslem brotherhood??

well, one possibility is that hamas takes the money which it gets from the taxes the palestinian merchants have to pay for the clothes and to use the money for buying weapons. so, hope you have a clue now!

what does this tell us? 1. it's no care shipment but a commercial shipment which happened here (for the first time since hamas took over), 2. obviously the merchants' stocks were still quite full which means: there was not exactly a shortage of clothes. so, all those who start crying about the "hard lot" of the palestinians in view of this news should first think about...

Got their own pockets fat by giving up violence they lost more territory and there was big asscalation in settlement building Hamas got Israel out of gaza and most pals hoped Hamas will get them out Of the west bank Israel voted for Sharon who was not for peace and had more blood on his hands then any israeli president or general or even Hamas ever did or will . Hamas is not perfect but their the only choice they have for now. Do you vote for the guys who can leiberate you or the ones who are going to negoiciate you crumbs

Opening a book half way? What about your history book that starts in 1948?

in winter after winter? First when I read this in my morning newspaper, I thought it was just anti-semitism. So I had to check it up and here it is, black on white in an Israeli newspaper. You kept childrens shoes away from an occupied people, for THREE years. Who in this big bad world would you think would support that as "a good idea", besides the Israeli right? I know that you kept the people in Gaza from rebuilding their homes, for security reasons no doubt. We heard of the "Pasta" debacle, but nowhere did we read about the policy of not allowing for childrens shoes. My question is :Have you lost it? Have you justified your actions for so long that when you take a step back and see barefoot children ,in ruins, under occupation, longing for some pasta..you honestly believe that they deserve it?

really?

Which are recognized by the international Laws.

Preventing goods from leaving the port,charging storage fees while allowing the mechandise to become worthless and continue to deny children access to cryons (for security reasons)is afair summary of what the state of israel stands for

in winter after winter? First when I read this in my morning newspaper, I thought it was just anti-semitism. So I had to check it up and here it is, black on white in an Israeli newspaper. You kept childrens shoes away from an occupied people, for THREE years. Who in this big bad world would you think would support that as "a good idea", besides the Israeli right? I know that you kept the people in Gaza from rebuilding their homes, for security reasons no doubt. We heard of the "Pasta" debacle, but nowhere did we read about the policy of not allowing for childrens shoes. My question is :Have you lost it? Have you justified your actions for so long that when you take a step back and see barefoot children ,in ruins, under occupation, longing for some pasta..you honestly believe that they deserve it?

What if there are rocks hidden in the clothes and shoes?

What's up with that? He's made it very clear to Israel that he wants the unjust and inhumane collective punishment of the Gazans to end! Why the hell did you vote for him if you disagree with his policies?

and so obviously aimed at collective punishment, that Israel won't even release it. It must be classified "secret", at the very least.

People here are demanding the release of Shalit in return for a cessation of the blockade. But this amounts to illegal collective punishment. Besides, making 1.3 million people suffer because of 1 IDF prisoner is ridiculous, especially given the thousands of prisoners held by Israel. How can Palestinian misery be so cheap, compared to the misery of one Israeli?

Seriously? C'mon, Israel. This behavior is absolutely unacceptable.

You can only quote an incident 14 months ago! In any case, Hamas was trying to take over the distribution and returned the goods to the UN within days. However, I'm glad to see that you read The Guardian, it's a very good paper, very sound on the Middle East.

I don't think the Israeli's take into consideration the continuing effect of this human induced economic drama that is to yet again hit the American economy. The coming commercial real estate crash will be worse than the one we have all just had. And Americans are slowly learning that it is their tax money that is being spent to help Israel commit war crimes against a helpless people. The best thing America could do at this stage of economic and social crisis is to wipe its hands of Israel. I would suggest that one day Americans are going to be looking for those in their government who work more for Israel than they do for their own communities. I think its called treason...and the americans have every right to question the on going support for another country that robs them blind.

"Hamas attacks ...." Hamas are a reaction to Israel's illegal acquisition of Palestinian territories since 14th May 1948...

Wellthen Obama has to punish the Israeli people for voting in Mr Bibi Netanyahu as their prime minster. He is holding back peace in the middle east and putting americans in danger with his delussional vision of a Greater Israel. So if we take your line of thinking we should cut off all aid to Israel because of who Israelis voted in. Go Obama!!!

And the expected American home foreclosures this coming year, the increasing jobless, the ever deepening American debt owed to China, and the American wars that are going nowhere... all things level out, dear American.

Dear Mr. Ilan, you should ask the following persons in Israel why IDF Corporal Shalit is not at home after 3 years: Mr. E.Olmert, Ms. T. Livni, Mr. E. Barak, Mr. D.Halutz, Mr. B.Netanyahu, Mr. A. Lieberman, Mr. G. Ashkenazi and President S. Peres; then you will know why Mr. Shalit is unfortunately not at home yet.

Didn't you know that Egypt can only open the border with Gaza if Israel tells her so?

And what is it that you know that everyone else doesn't? "10 truckloads of flour and rice delivered into Gaza yesterday were taken away by trucks affiliated with the Hamas-run social affairs ministry. Earlier this week, Hamas police took away thousands of blankets and food parcels meant for needy residents" http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/06/gaza-un-aid-hamas

Youtube -CrossTalk: Norman Finkelstein vs. Israel

Hey, Marco, there in your cozy and safe US home in NJ. You know, by now, that Israel is an enemy of the US? Make a choice. Tickets are still available. Why, why, why did the Gazans ever start firing rockets? Look up the history of Sderot, for example; built on a village razed by Israel in 48/49 and from which all Pals were cleansed and fled, mostly to Gaza. When Israel retires to behind the Green Line, Israel will have the right to "defend" itself, but not before. Shoes after three years? It's disgusting.

....of over 1 million people.

"Hamas diverts humanitarian aid fron the world to its military (terrorist) activities..." Exactly how does Hamas do this? What types of aid are diverted into what kinds of military activities? You haven't a clue, have you?

What if there are rockets hidden in the clothes and shoes? What if they manage to use these clothes/shoes in explosives? What if they use the clothes/shoes as explosives? To all the numerous posters who have been saying for years that Israel is allowing all necessary goods into Israel and the world is making a big fuss about nothing I say : please meet the real Israel.

Israel should try once more ,and allow the flow of goods into Gaza,but this must be on condition that all hostilities cease ,further easing should be allowed if Hamas releases Shalit,and again further easing if Hamas stops its vicious propganda war and declares that peace is an objective and a willingness to sign such an agreement .

Shalit has a right to communication with his family by humanitarian law.

Why should Israel deliver anything to a territory pledged to its destruction? I don't feel sorry in the least for the Gazans - they knew Hamas' platform was one of perpetual war against Israel, and the people there voted for the terrorists in their election. You reap what you sow. You wanted war, you got it. Don't cry now because your children can't get new shoes or crayons.

Palestinians overwhelmingly voted for Hamas during their first and the only elections. They have to pay price for their choice. Unfortunately Obama is pressuring Israel to do things that only strenghten Hamas and therefore further reduce prospects for peace.

Hamas attacks Israeli civilians with rockets & bombs. Israel closes the border. Hamas diverts humanitarian aid fron the world to its military (terrorist) activities & then complains that Israel is denying it humanitarian items. Hamas creates thousands of tunnels to smuggle consumer goods from Egypt but also weapons to be used against Israeli civilians. Why can't Hamas simply "import" consumer goods from Egypt. Hamas has decared Israel to be their enemy. Since when does an enemy assist its adversary? Is Hamas an enemy of Egypt? Why does Egypt not open its border. Hamas expects Israel to assist the Gaza civilians while Hamas fires rockets against Israeli civilians. This is the new worls logic?

Didn't I read last week that this shipment would be delivered on Thursday? Oh well, after waiting all this time what's another 3 days matter... Time to get the rest of the essential goods in now.

If anyone has questions about Israel's policy of communal punishment, one need only look at restrictions on letting in things like shoes, pants and pasta. Though I suppose some of the usual suspects will criticize me for wanting them to get these things so they can use them to build rockets.