Tuesday
Jun222010
Israeli Defense Minister Denies Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza
Tala Dowlatshahi
Ehud Barak, Minister of Defense for Israel met with the United Nations Secretary General this week to discuss the shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza as well as the UN system-wide investigation into the Flotilla attack earlier this month.
Barak said he'd hope the UN "leave the investigation on the shelf for a certain time" and thus allow Israel to conduct its own credible internal and independent investigation. He also denied that civilians in Gaza were suffering from a lack of aid due to the Israeli blockade of goods (the full ban was recently lifted). He added that the only person in Gaza deprived of "basic rights of a human being" was an Israeli Defense Force soldier being held by Hamas.
Iran, among several other nations has pledged to send a massive shipment of aid to the Gaza strip next week. Israel has rejected Iran's demands and has issued a stern warning to Lebanon to ensure its ports are safeguarded from illegal flotilla shipments. The Iranian Red Crescent is partnering with the Society for the Defense of the Palestinian Nation to secure the shipment. The ship, named the "Children of Gaza" is set to sail on Sunday. It will carry over 1,000 tons of equipment including 500 tons of medicine and food supplies. Israel has said its navy will intercept the shipment. The UN spokesperson added that the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, hoped "both sides would act responsibly".
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Barak said he'd hope the UN "leave the investigation on the shelf for a certain time" and thus allow Israel to conduct its own credible internal and independent investigation. He also denied that civilians in Gaza were suffering from a lack of aid due to the Israeli blockade of goods (the full ban was recently lifted). He added that the only person in Gaza deprived of "basic rights of a human being" was an Israeli Defense Force soldier being held by Hamas.
Iran, among several other nations has pledged to send a massive shipment of aid to the Gaza strip next week. Israel has rejected Iran's demands and has issued a stern warning to Lebanon to ensure its ports are safeguarded from illegal flotilla shipments. The Iranian Red Crescent is partnering with the Society for the Defense of the Palestinian Nation to secure the shipment. The ship, named the "Children of Gaza" is set to sail on Sunday. It will carry over 1,000 tons of equipment including 500 tons of medicine and food supplies. Israel has said its navy will intercept the shipment. The UN spokesperson added that the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, hoped "both sides would act responsibly".
Listen
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