Obama urges Israel open Gaza crossings to aid

[DogPoundPup]

January 23, 2009 - 7:37AM

US President Barack Obama has called on Israel to open Gaza border crossings to aid and commerce, as part of a lasting ceasefire following the conflict with Hamas.

"Now we must extend a hand of opportunity to those who seek peace, as part of a lasting ceasefire, Gaza's border crossings should be open to allow the flow of aid and commerce," Obama said during a maiden visit as president to the State Department.

The president, in his first major comments on the Middle East conflict since he was inaugurated on Tuesday, called for a monitoring regime involving the Palestinian Authority and the international community for open Gaza borders.

"Relief efforts must be able to reach innocent Palestinians who depend on them," Obama said.

The president also said he was deeply concerned about the loss of civilian life in the Gaza conflict. But he added Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israeli territory, and that he was fervently committed to Israel's security.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/obama-urges-israel-open-gaza-crossings-to-aid/2009/01/23/1232471540580.html

[bemildred]

1. Obama picks George Mitchell as Mideast envoy 'to make Gaza truce last'

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In a news conference at the U.S. State Department, Obama said the outline for a "durable cease-fire" in Gaza was clear.

"Hamas must end its rocket fire, Israel will complete the withdrawal of its forces from Gaza. The United States and our partners will support a credible anti-smuggling and interdiction regime so that Hamas cannot rearm," the new president said in his first major speech on the region as president.

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"It will be the policy of my administration to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians as well as Israel and its Arab neighbors," Obama said, adding that he would send Mitchell soon to the region.

He said his administration will support a credible system of ending smuggling into Gaza.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057919.html

[Scurrilous]

2. Israel to keep Gaza crossings closed

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"Israel has refused to reopen its border crossings into the Gaza Strip soon, in what is seen as an attempt to increase pressure on Hamas.

An official said the government planned to use the issue to bargain for the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held by the Islamist group since 2006.

"We don't want the issue to be dealt with now," the official said.

He said Israel would set tough conditions for lifting the blockade. Under its ceasefire, Hamas has given Israel until Sunday to open the borders.

The official said: "If the opening of the passages strengthens Hamas we will not do it. We will make sure that all the needs of the population will be met. But we will not be able to deal with Hamas on the other side. We will not do things that give legitimacy to Hamas."

The tough line is likely to bring it into conflict with many western and Arab governments, which want to see the crossings reopened as soon as possible."

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