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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Siege, Wall, Checkpoints Home page  back Print  Send To friend UNRWA: Despite announced new Israeli policy, blockade still stops Gaza construction Ma`an (Gaza) July 20, 2010 http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=301011 original title `UNRWA: Israeli blockade stalls construction` Israel has not let in sufficient construction material under its new siege conditions, and current levels are not even enough to complete limited UNRWA housing projects, agency director John Ging said. Speaking at the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City alongside independent Palestinian lawmaker and head of the popular committee against the siege Jamal Al-Khudari, Ging for the first time criticized the new import policy adopted by Israel for Gaza. Though the UN initially welcomed the move, UNRWA was cautious saying the will to lift the siege was a good sign but was critical of the policy preventing exports from Gaza, and adopted a wait-and-see policy to the new regulations on construction material. A month after the new conditions were put in place, Ging said that despite Israel`s stated intention to let construction materials in for projects administered by the UN and the Red Cross, projects including the construction of schools and homes were stalled for want of supplies. Ging told reporters that the amount of supplies for projects has `not changed noticeably` under the new terms, while Al-Khudari called for a total end to the blockade. `We need major steps without exceptions,` he said. The Gaza official asked that all crossing points be open for an unlimited number of goods for transfer in and out, and for an end to limitations on construction materials. `We must have free passage from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip,` Al-Khidari added, referring back to a 2005 movement and access agreement made with Israel which involved the creation of a corridor between the two Palestinian areas. `Gaza must also be open to the world,` the official said, demanding the Gaza City Port be opened for vessels. A.K. Links to the latest articles in this section Zoom events this week: Israeli mass protests / Traums in Gaza Israel`s approach to Gaza needs to change Israel calls on Egypt to stop entry of construction materials to Gaza