Posted September 21 2007 by Yoni Gross
It’s about time.
The Israeli government took several long overdue steps this Wednesday that will fundamentally change the status of relations between Israel and Gaza. The first and most fundamental, is that Gaza has been declared an “enemy entity”. This declaration should have been made the day Israel left Gaza two years ago. The Palestinians decision not to make a state out of the territory that they have complete control over should not be allowed to tie Israel’s hands in dealing with Gaza. If the Palestinians had declared statehood, Gaza would be an enemy nation. Non-state status cannot be allowed to become a shield for irresponsible behavior by the Palestinian government.
The second change in policy made by the Israeli government follows directly on the first. No nation on earth provides their enemies with supplies. But Israel supplies roughly 60% of Gaza’s electricity, along with most of its fuel, food, and other supplies. That is about to change. If the rocket attacks continue, Israel is prepared to reduce Gaza’s electrical supply, giving Hamas the choice of powering their weapons factories, or powering their hospitals. If that doesn’t work, fuel supplies will also be cut off, with the sole exception of generator fuel for essential services, like hospitals. Movement of all non-essential supplies (especially water pipes, which are used to make the rockets) between Gaza and Israel is also on the table, as is the movement of people.
I would never have believed it a week ago. International criticism is bound to be strong, and I didn’t think the current Israeli government had the will to face down the shouting. I also wasn’t sure if Israel could get American support for these actions, which would be absolutely essential to avoid UN sanctions.
The UN and the EU have already jumped in to slam these steps as collective punishment. All I can ask is, how is this any different from the sanctions the UN itself imposes? How is it any different from the EU’s own actions in stopping power plant fuel supplies to Gaza last month? Nations can only deal with each other on a collective basis. Cutting off non-essential supplies to an enemy who is constantly attacking you is the mildest form of sanction I’ve ever heard of any nation or international body imposing on another. Food is still moving unhindered. Water is still flowing. Israel is making every effort to make sure Palestinian hospitals can keep working. This isn’t a humanitarian issue. Luxuries aren’t a human right. And the EU, in particular, needs to get off its high horse, stop being hypocritical, and live up to its responsibilities as a supposed player in the peace process.
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