BICOM

What is the new Israeli Policy on goods entering Gaza?

 

• The Israeli Security Cabinet, after extensive discussions, and a series of talks between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Quartet envoy Tony Blair, agreed to adjust Israel’s Gaza policy as follows:

1. Liberalising the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza; a change from a list of permitted items to a list of items not permitted;
2. Expanding the flow of materials for projects under international supervision, including PA and UN projects for schools, health facilities, housing, sanitation and water;
3. Continuing existing security procedures to prevent the inflow of weapons andwar materiel.

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tasked Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz with forming a plan to regulate the activity in the Gaza crossing, in accordance with the new policy.
• Israel has said it will continue to maintain its naval closure and inspect all goods entering Gaza.

What has been the international reaction?

• On the whole the international community’s reaction to Israel’s new Gaza policy was positive. Foreign Secretary William Hague made the following statement, ‘I welcome today’s announcement on Israel’s intentions to ease restrictions on Gaza. This evening I spoke to Quartet Representative Tony Blair. We both agreed that this marks an important step in the right direction’
• Quartet Representative Tony Blair responded positively, saying, ‘I welcome the Government of Israel’s decision to liberalise the policy on Gaza… As I have said in the past days, Israel has the clear right to defend itself and protect its security. The best way to do this is to ensure that weapons cannot reach Gaza whilst allowing into Gaza the items of ordinary daily life, including materials for the construction of homes, infrastructure and services as the UN have asked, and permitting legitimate business to revive’.
• A spokesman for the White House also welcomed the decision, and called on all parties wishing to deliver goods ‘to do so through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected and transferred via land crossings into Gaza. There is no need for unnecessary confrontations, and we call on all parties to act responsibly in meeting the needs of the people of Gaza’.
• Hamas swiftly rejected the move, which senior leader Ismail Radwan dismissed as an attempt to ‘relieve the pressure’ on Israel following the flotilla incident.

What has been the impact on the ground?

• According to the Palestinian official in charge of the transfer of goods into Gaza, the number of trucks which entered the Strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing on the 21 June was the same as in any other previous day – 130. However, the news of the easing of the blockade has had an effect on the ground in Gaza. According to the international press, the prices of televisions, cola, cement, refrigerators and washing machines, which previously had been hauled through the tunnels beneath the Egyptian/Gaza border, have plummeted in expectation of increased supplies from Israel.