Clinton warns Israel over delays in Gaza aid

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has relayed messages to Israel in the past week expressing anger at obstacles Israel is placing to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. A leading political source in Jerusalem noted that senior Clinton aides have made it clear that the matter will be central to Clinton's planned visit to Israel next Tuesday.

Ahead of Clinton's visit, special U.S. envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell is expected to issue a sharply worded protest on the same matter when he arrives here Thursday.

"Israel is not making enough effort to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," senior U.S. officials told Israeli counterparts last week, and reiterated Washington's view by saying that "the U.S. expects Israel to meet its commitments on this matter."

Two weeks ago, four senior European Union officials sent a letter to the prime minister, foreign minister, defense minister and Yitzhak Herzog, the minister charged with humanitarian aid transfers to the Gaza Strip, protesting delays in the flow of aid through the crossings into Gaza. The officials also demanded that Israel formulates a clear policy on this issue.

In response, Israel explained that the delay stems, in part, from the uncertainty regarding the fate of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit, but also stressed that efforts are being made to improve the situation.

Herzog also asked Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to hold a meeting in order to revaluate current policy on the delivery of aid to Gaza.

Sources at the defense establishment confirmed last night that pressure is increasing on Israel to reopen the crossings to larger volumes of aid for the Gaza Strip. Defense sources said that Israel will find it increasingly difficult to counter the pressure, and may agree to more extensive use of the crossings for aid. Currently, fewer than 200 trucks carrying aid are allowed through daily. The U.S., the EU and the UN are demanding that at least 500 trucks carrying aid be allowed into the Strip daily."

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[geek tragedy]

1. Ohmigod. Go Hillary!

As someone who wants what is best for Israel, I'm thrilled to see a SoS and administration tell Israel what it needs to hear, not what it wants to hear.

[bemildred]

2. Hmmmm ...

Is that the sound of heads exploding?
:popcorn::popcorn:

[Jefferson23]

3. But that sweet kind lady Livni said already, there is no humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

[Idealism]

4. Scratch off her 2016 Presidential run n/t

[azurnoir]

5. The times they are a changin' n/t

[Alamuti Lotus]

6. Just keeping up appearances, don't get excited

[LeftishBrit]

7. Good for her - though I'm not very surprised

I hope that she has an influence there.

[oberliner]

8. She will

Very well-respected by all parties!