Progress on Gaza

[jsteele]

The attention focused on Gaza in the wake of the Israeli attack on the flotilla of peace activists may be yielding some results. In a major step toward resolving the humanitarian crisis, Israel has dropped its prohibition on the importation of packaged hummus into Gaza. I'm not sure why hummus was previously banned, unless the Israelis were concerned that Gazans would throw it at them. I am not sure what the military applications of hummus are, but there must be some. Given the recent hummus war between Lebanon and Israel in which side attempted to make a larger bowl of hummus than the other, the Israelis may have feared opening a second front in the war.

Hummus war: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/05/09/lebanon.hummus/index.html

End of prohibition on hummus: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/09/barack-obama-gaza-israel-aid

Israel also announced that it would lift the prohibition on shaving cream. Have you see those Hamas guys? Do you think they need shaving cream? And, I better not hear anyone suggest it is for the women.

Of less importance was Obamas promise of $400 million of aid to Gaza, some of which will be used to rebuild UN schools. However, since the Israelis are still banning cement, the schools will have to be built from hummus and shaving cream.

[Anonymous]

Have you tasted Israeli hummus? This is an act of provocation.

[Anonymous]

I think the problem with hummus is explained here by a negotiator:

[Anonymous]

He's right. We can't afford to let pita get in the hands of another rogue state You know Kim Jong-il is probably moving truckloads of the stuff into position as we speak. Most likely it will come disguised as a shipment of designer glasses.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem with hummus is explained here by a negotiator:

Hah, that was funny. I guess the real issue is PMDs: Pitas of Mass Destruction.

[Anonymous]

It is so sad that, a few days later, the situation barely gets press and even this board has gone dead on the subject. This is exactly why protest events like the flotilla are necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is so sad that, a few days later, the situation barely gets press and even this board has gone dead on the subject. This is exactly why protest events like the flotilla are necessary.

Perhaps, or perhaps real progress occurs when diplomats can talk away from the glare of publicity.

[jsteele]

Of course, the US press would love to put this behind them. However, the foreign media is full of articles. Just a sampling:

Israel Gaza probe criticised by Turkey and Palestinians
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/10311653.stm

Israel sets up inquiry into deadly Gaza flotilla raid
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/10305902.stm

ICRC says Israel's Gaza blockade breaks law
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10306193.stm

Tony Blair hopes Israeli blockade of Gaza will be eased
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10305706.stm

EU raises doubts on Gaza raid inquiry but hopes grow of blockade easing
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/14/eu-gaza-raid-inquiry

Iran sends aid ships to Gaza
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/14/iran-aid-ships-gaza

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is so sad that, a few days later, the situation barely gets press and even this board has gone dead on the subject. This is exactly why protest events like the flotilla are necessary.

Perhaps, or perhaps real progress occurs when diplomats can talk away from the glare of publicity.

Well, the diplomats don't seem to get really active unless there is a crisis to begin with. It seemed that our State Department went radio silent some time after the Camp David 2000 talks, and didn't resurface until the very end of the Bush Administration.

[jsteele]

Serious progress now:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/10338199.stm

"Israel has announced it will ease the land blockade of the Gaza Strip and allow more civilian goods to enter the Palestinian territory."

Most importantly:

"An Israeli government statement said construction materials for civilian projects would also be allowed in under international supervision."

So, hopefully the Gazans will be able to start rebuilding their homes.

Interesting lesson here in that the Flotilla has ended up at least partially accomplishing its goal. While nine people had to sacrifice their lives, they accomplished more than the diplomats have been able to achieve.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully the Gazans will also rebuild peace with Israel and meet positive gesture with positive gesture; something they have consistently failed to do. THAt would be progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully the Gazans will also rebuild peace with Israel and meet positive gesture with positive gesture; something they have consistently failed to do. THAt would be progress.

If would be even nicer if Hamas's charter recognized Israel's right to exist.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully the Gazans will also rebuild peace with Israel and meet positive gesture with positive gesture; something they have consistently failed to do. THAt would be progress.

If would be even nicer if Hamas's charter recognized Israel's right to exist.

Why it is not apparent that many Israelis understand the term "negotiations", there is such a phenomenon. It works like this:

One side says something along the lines of "I really wish you didn't exist and I know that you wish I didn't exist, but we are both here so let's deal with it."

The second side replies by saying something like, "You're right. I'll recognize your right to exist if you recognize my right to exist."

First side, "Cool, so let's draw up some borders. How about the 1967 demarcation lines?"

And, so on.

However, Israel tends to tell the other side, "complete this list of concessions and then we will begin to negotiate." Fatah already learned what it is like to show up to a strip poker match having already conceded their shirt and pants while the Israelis remained fully dressed. Hamas is unlikely to make the same mistake.