EU source: Gaza reconstruction aid is ‘made in Israel’

[Jefferson23]

?itok=3i5Y3HJp

September 3, 2014

SPECIAL REPORT/ A row is brewing over claims that Israel is earning millions of euros from a de facto policy of preventing non-Israeli reconstruction aid from entering the Gaza Strip.

At least 65,000 people in the Gaza Strip are homeless after the recent seven-week conflict. Infrastructure ranging from water desalination centres to power plants lies in ruins.

No formal Israeli ban prevents the import of reconstruction materials that were not made in Israel, but EU sources speaking on condition of anonymity say that in practice, Israeli security demands present them with a fait accompli.

“If you want aid materials to be permitted to enter, they will almost inevitably come from Israeli sources,” an EU official said. “I don’t think you’ll find it written down anywhere in official policy, but when you get to negotiate with the Israelis, this is what happens. It increases construction and transaction costs, and is a political problem that has to be dealt with.”

remainder: http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-aid-under-fire/eu-source-gaza-reconstruction-aid-made-israel-308169

[BillZBubb]

1. Does this surprise anyone?

Destroying Palestinian infrastructure has always been very good business for Israel. The Israelis make certain of it.

[Jefferson23]

2. Nope, not surprising at all. n/t

[Abu Mezur]

3. capitalism

that is capitalism for you.

[hack89]

4. EU boycotts Israeli goods, Israel boycotts EU construction material

Nice symmetry to it.

[Aerows]

5. That is rather a dim view

Do little kids need to suffer, or is that "symmetry" for you? Smug and callous.

It does not become you.

[hack89]

6. Nowhere does the article say that there is not enough building material

They are just pissed that they were out smarted by Israel. The problem also would not exist except for Hamas's habit of building tunnels and bunkers instead of homes and schools. How many kids have suffered through Hamas' actions?

[Aerows]

7. Own what you post

You can make it worse by being even more smug and callous. I'll just point it out.

[hack89]

8. Speaking of smug - is your hair shirt tailored? Nt

[Aerows]

9. Oh, I'm wearing a hair shirt

by pointing out when someone is thrilled with suffering.

No, I don't think so.

It's over the top. If you thought for a moment you could see that it is. Celebration of the exploitation of human beings, civilians, shouldn't have to be explained to you as disgusting.

[hack89]

10. Nice straw man you built there

Last edited Thu Sep 4, 2014, 06:13 AM - Edit history (3)

I am thrilled that the EU found itself hoist on its own petard. Again, I point out that there is no shortage of construction material (assuming Hamas does not divert it again.). Perhaps the EU can offer to drop their boycott in exchange for allowing EU material to enter. That way they can profit instead of Israel.

[Aerows]

11. Is that the best you have in your verbal arsenal?

Shouting "Straw man" when you get called on a callous statement doesn't really work too well when you can look up the thread and read what you wrote a few minutes ago.

And now you are ranting about the EU, which I didn't even bring into the conversation. My, my.

[hack89]

12. The entire conversation is about the EU - I have mentioned them in every post

Tell me how Israel making money is making children suffer if there is no shortage of building material.

You are amusing. So much effort to work your self up into such an arm flapping state. You really need to work on your "call outs".

[azurnoir]

13. a war that pays for itself

could be encouragement for more of the same