News: Israel Allows Cement in Gaza

Israel to allow one-time transfer of cement and other materials to Gaza

Israel plans to transfer several hundred tons of cement and other construction materials for the first time since its war on Gaza ending in January 2009. Until now, Israel refused to allow construction materials into Gaza, arguing that Hamas could divert iron rods and concrete to build rockets and bunkers. As a result, many buildings in Gaza remain in ruins.

The one-time transfer that includes 310 tons of cement will be allocated mainly for rebuilding a flour mill, a sewage treatment facility, and the British cemetery, according to an Israeli defense official. Metal pipes and some steel are also expected “in the coming weeks.” On Tuesday, several UN agencies urged Israel to allow more materials into Gaza so that schools damaged in the war can be rebuilt in time for the new academic year.

The transfer of materials is part of the implementation of a United Nations plan devised by UN envoy to the Middle East, Robert Serry, who has submitted to Israel a list of 10 UN-sponsored construction projects in Gaza. UN officials had been meeting with Israeli officials for months to coordinate the transfer. Amos Gilad, the coordinator of Israeli activity in the Gaza Strip, recently authorized the UN construction plan under the condition that the cement will be transferred for use solely in approved projects and will bypass Hamas.

The announcement that cement would be admitted for three Gazan projects coincided with a visit to Israel by U.S. national security adviser Jim Jones. He follows closely on U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and senior U.S. envoy George Mitchell. One Israeli official said that Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave his approval in principle to the cement imports before this week's influx of American officials, but added: "Shall I say the timing of this publication isn't good? Of course it's good."

HEADLINES

Israeli forces, Palestinian fighters clash near Gaza border (Xinhua)

Netanyahu: 'Crossings shut until Schalit freed' (Jerusalem Post)

Israel ranks among least peaceful states (Jerusalem Post)

Israel 'orders criminal probes over Gaza war' (AFP)

Palestine and the Palestinians

Hamas: 1,000 prisoners for Fatah exit ahead of conference (Ma'an)

Palestinian finance minister: Economic peace failed (Ynet)

Fayyad: Netanyahu changed views on "economic peace" (Ma'an)

Palestinian killed in tunnel collapse in Gaza (Xinhua)

A new Palestine (Ha'aretz)

Israel allows Fatah hard-liner to enter West Bank following Abbas request (Ha'aretz)

Israel

West Bank Settlers Send Obama Defiant Message (New York Times)

Israel to improve tip-offs to Palestinians on strikes (JTA)

Israeli forces seize eight Palestinians overnight (Ma'an)

Israel army to test tank shell against anti-tank squads (Xinhua)

Peres: Let kids of foreign workers stay (Jerusalem Post)

The Neighbors

Mideast peace talks: Saudis stymie Obama plan (Chicago Tribune)

Israel’s Shalom accuses LAF of supporting Hizbullah (Daily Star)

Years on, many Palestinians remain jailed unjustly (Daily Star)

Violence at Egypt border points to migration shifts (Reuters)

Arab Ministers on Conditions for Accepting Mitchell's Bid for Ties with Israel (Asharq Alawsat)

US Foreign Policy

Tough on Israel (Washington Post)

US urges end to Iraqis' differences (Al Jazeera)

Washington Watch: Waltzing with Bashar and Bibi (Jerusalem Post)

Jerusalem Hotel Divides U.S., Israel (ABC)

International Relations/Law

MPs Demand Sanctions Against Israel (The London Echo)

Repairing The U.S. Image In Muslim World (CBS)

Arts and Activism

“Rachel” -- A Documentary (Beyond Chron)

Working Tirelessly to heal social injustice Palestinian Author brings tales of war to Hill (Chestnut Hill Local)

United Church defends Israel boycotts dubbed ‘anti-Semitic’ (Canada.com)


Misc.

Daniel Boyd: A Homegrown Terrorist? (Time)

Commentary

Bolton: It’s Crunch Time for Israel On Iran (Wall Street Journal)

Analysis: Hizbullah turns up the temperature in the North (Jerusalem Post)

Breyman: Is Obama Ignoring Israel? (Foreign Policy)

Susser: Settlers undermining legitimacy of Israel's existence (Ha'aretz)

Shavit: A new Palestine (Haaretz)

Shaaban: How will Arabs wake up? (Counterpunch)

Susser: Settlers undermining Israel's existence (Haaretz)

US government's shady deals play into hands of extremists (Daily Star)


Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.

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