Gaza: The Hass and Hass nots of freedom of the Press

Freedom of the press in Gaza has been in the headlines quite a lot in the last month. First of all, Israel made a strange decision to refuse all access of members of the international media working in the region via Erez Checkpoint to the Gaza Strip. While it most definitely is a strange decision, especially from a democracy, one Israeli spokesman was quoted in the New York Times as saying that he is not "shedding any tears" that the international press aren't going in to Gaza.

The Foreign Press Association appealed the decision to Israel's supreme court, whom did not have the chance to debate the case. This came to an end when Israel today reversed the decision and let journalists in to Gaza. I am certain the the FPA are kicking themselves over the Israeli step to open the doors for them today. Indeed dragging Israel through a high profile media court case would give them enough to write about for months.

The second issue to do with freedom of the press is an incident concerning a highly respectable journalist, Amira Hass. Ms. Hass works for the Israeli broadsheet, left leaning newspaper, Haaretz. She has lived both in Gaza and Ramallah and that makes her a different type of Israeli journalist. She is unique. Amira Hass gets out in to the field. Three weeks ago she joined a ship to Gaza organized by the "Free Gaza Movement". Since then she has been writing about Gaza and its problems, mostly pertaining to Israel but also passing judgment on Hamas as a government. This week Hamas informed her that she can no longer stay in Gaza due to "security" problems. While she tried to challenge the expulsion order, the powers that be in Gaza would not show any flexibility, except for a 20 hours extention to pack her bags and say good bye to all her friends. In an interview today to an Israeli radio station Hass said that "they (Hamas) made it clear that they were uncomfortable with free press. They made it clear that foreign media that come for a day or two are not like a permanent presence of three months, they made it clear that it is an inconvenience for them".

So from what I can make out of her statement is:
a. Freedom of the press in Gaza means you are free to write about occupation, Israeli atrocities and the siege.
b. Forget about investigative journalism – say like a report on "where is Gilad Shalit", or "Hamas the first Islamic Brotherhood Government in the region – prospects for the future" , "Hamas's governing capabilities".

Don't get me wrong but by putting both of the stories together, Hass and the FPA, I kind of get the impression that the FPA won't be appealing the Hamas Government or legal system to let them cover the internal problems of Gaza. As Cicero said, "O tempora, O mores!"

Booth binging in Gaza

So a few things have happened in Gaza since I last posted. The "cease fire" between seems to be upholding, and both children of Sderot and Beit Hanun have gone back to school uneventfully. Who said good news is no news…?
Lauren Booth, former British Prime Minster, Tony Blair's sister in law seems to be the most prominent voice of the "Free Gaza" movement. This week she claimed that the Gaza Strip is the largest concentration camp in the world. She also pointed out that the situation resembles Darfur. I thought it would be good to try analyze this interpretation of this statement. First of all, lets break down the "concentration camp", the definition of such is roughly "A camp where civilians, enemy aliens, political prisoners, and sometimes prisoners of war are detained and confined, typically under harsh conditions". The Gaza Strip, while the border with Israel is strictly controlled, since the early 90's, and one border with Egypt whom aren't really interested in a Gazan infestation is an autonomous area. The people whom live there, some 1.4 million Palestinians, generally call the place home I seriously doubt the Jews of the 1930's – 40's called "Auschwitz" home. In this quasi state, after a over a year of aggression against its best neighbor Gazans may be confined to the small strip of land, but it is indeed due to the hostilities is government chose to initiate. So while she continues to work for the "Palestinian cause" I wish her only to remember that “work makes (one) free”. As for Darfur, The War in Darfur is a military conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The current lines of conflict are seen to be ethnic and tribal, rather than religious. The war there has an estimated 400,000 people dead from violence and disease. The war between Israel and the Gaza Strip is a war of Ideologies, with a taint of religion. The Islamist government of Gaza claiming the infidels must be ousted and free Palestine of all Jews, unless they are willing to live under the Islamic rule (just like Christians under Gaza rule). The war in Darfur is a result The combination of decades of drought, desertification, and overpopulation are among the causes of the Darfur conflict, because nomads searching for water have to take their livestock further south, to land mainly occupied by Black African farming communities. This of course leaves people hungry on the brink of starvation.
On the other hand, in Gaza Lauren Booth is witnessing the plight of the so called Israeli siege. Looks like they have run out of caviar….

Another highlight of Ms. Booth visit to Gaza was a lovely ceremony with the head honcho of Gaza aka, Ismaiel Hania, she received a Palestinian passport (Palestinians would do anything to trade her EU passport). So I wonder if she will try and return to England with the prestigious Palestinian passport. All I can say to her is "bon voyage", or good bye and good riddance.

Internationals claims of breaking siege

So finally, after one year of planning, two wooden fishing boats made their final trip to the coast of Gaza. 44 self pronounced human rights activists made their best effort to bring to the global attention the suffering of the people of Gaza. They hoped that Israel would have tried to prevent and confront them while all the time, being followed by the international media.
Israel instead, for the first time that I can recall, made a choice to play along with the global interest. By approving the boats to reach their final destination they deprived the "activists" from their front page aspirations (who said death wish?). Why did Israel do this? Well, in my view there could be a number of reasons. First of all, Condolezza Rice is to visit later on this week, a State Dept. visit while US & European citizens are screaming "occupation" would be a bit of an embarrassment. Also, Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, is planned to visit Egypt and continue the dialogue between the two states. Since the "breaking of the siege" all of the Palestinian media has been discussing why these strange internationals are doing their best putting their lives at risk and all the time over the last year the arab world are literally sitting on their hands.
How do we get out of this place?
This is something yet to be concluded. Are they going to sail out? Are they going to try and get out via Rafah? Will they try and approach the Israeli authorities and request to leave via Israel. One thing is apparent, if by sea or by Erez crossing they will be checks by the Israeli security services.

Human Rights – only for the Palestinians
One thing I can't seem to understand. None of these human rights provocateurs (AKA activists) cry out against Hamas terrorist activities. Israeli civilians have constantly been targeted and no global group had cried out for their human rights.


This is definitely a developing story.

ONE YEAR UNDER HAMAS

Whats up in Gaza??

A blast of a weekend
Over the last 24 hours 3 bombs have exploded in the Gaza Strip. 6 people have been killed, including a 6 year old girl. Most of the media reported that five of the dead were members of the armed wing of the Hamas terrorist organization, "Iz eldin al Kassam".

I response, Hamas "Police" force (AKA - ruthless killers in the name of Allah) have herded up 120 Fatah supporters, claiming that the bombing was their doing. Ma'an News Agency also pointed out the Fatah institutions were ordered to shut their doors. Meanwhile, reports by Palestinian media and bloggers have indicated that the bombing was actually carried out by other Hamas operatives in an internal power struggle.



Reports in the name of "justice"
Numerous reports came out this week, UNRWA, the most objective UN body, working in the territories pointes fingers at Israel as responsible for an all high of 52% of the people living I Gaza are under the official poverty line. Although they did indicate that rockets have been fired from the strip, the have once again outdone themselves in belittling the situation, and of course the Israeli right to self defense.

The British House of commons issued their annual report about the situation in the "OPT" (Occupied Palestinian Territories), nothing new all based on reports by UN, Palestinian and Israeli NGOs and interviews with key "impartial" individuals (like Tony Blair). They too do not acknowledge the Israeli right to prevent terror activities against its citizens. Let alone deplore the Hamas Policy of intentionally attacking Israeli civilians.

UN: Increase in goods to Gaza
In an unprecedented news report ,the UN news agency IRIN – actually indicated a slight increase in goods flowing in to the Gaza Strip. Israel has been quite clear about their policy from day one. The simple equation, no rockets = borders are open. The Israeli Coordination of Government of Activities in the Territories reported this week that an on going increase of goods to Gaza has taken place with almost 90 truck loads of goods being shipped in to the Gaza Strip via Sufa crossing, about 80 truck loads of grains via Karni conveyer belt. Israeli defense officials reported that Kerem Shalom is being rebuilt and is planned to be reopened in six weeks, they promised that this should further increase the amount of shipments daily coordinated in to Gaza. Just so that it's clear, Hamas terrorists infiltrated the Kerem Shalom terminal in April blowing it to smithereens, who said they were shooting themselves in the foot? As far as fuel is concerned, reports from Gaza indicate that the motorcycles are back on the streets, and that the price of fuel has started to drop due to the 30% increase of fuels being allowed in to Gaza. The EU has stated to the Palestinian power company that they will not increase the amount of fuel they are willing to pay for required for the only power station in Gaza. This is despite that Israel has agreed to increase the flow of heavy duty diesel for the power requirements of Gaza.

Ship for Shore
In the next few days we can expect that one of the main issues concerning Gaza, will be the attempt by International and Israeli peace activists to try and access Gaza from the sea. The "Free Gaza" movement has been saving pennies to try and sail to Gaza they are due to cast off on the 5th of August from Cyprus, and they expect to arrive within a day or two to the coast of Gaza. The Israeli Army has not revealed what they plan to do, I predict that they most likely will be stopped miles away from Gaza.

This is a Military DISGRACE!

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Been a Long TIME......

So here we go.... I have been just a bit preoccupied, but thought I would try and make an effort at posting.

Just over one month since the so called "cease fire" has been in place. Hamas continually blame Israel for not fulfilling its side. Israel for its part has generally implemented a policy of "you shoot" = "crossings are closed". Is the policy working? I would say that from my analysis no rockets or mortars have been launched against Israel in over a week. Crossings Sufa and the conveyor belt at Karni are operating at 100% capacity. Nahal Oz fuel depot is operating under restrictions of the Israeli government. The Kerem Shalom crossing is completely destroyed due to a terrorist attack in April, carried out by Hamas militants.

If the crossing was open another 40 trucks per-day could be processed and added to the other 160. The restrictions although alleviate the situation are still barely enough for the minimal needs. The regular "Joe" (Or Ahmed) in the Gaza Strip, don't seem to be feeling any change. Israel have to do some outreaching otherwise it will just backfire. What does it all mean? And where is it going? Hamas and Israel have found themselves in a unique window of opportunity of mutual interest. Hamas need the time to recuperate and rebuild public support that was dwindling, Israel wants peace for its citizens of the south. Will it work? I guess that as long – and it could be for a long time, as Hamas need to rebuild, train, and put off any large scale offensive, we will only see a trickle of rockets. Hamas have proven, once more, that they rule the Gaza Strip and that they are a force to be reckoned with. Time will tell, and I will try to find the time to put my insight in to writing..

Gaza - Siege, Rafah, and the Secretary General of the UN

Last Thursday Israel Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, ordered the borders between Israel and Gaza locked shut. This was a gut response to the barrage of about 200 rockets and mortars fired at Israel. It seems that Barak did not take in to account the international interest and media coverage that was sure to mount up. On Friday Israeli dailies Ma'ariv and Yedioth Ahronot quoted Israeli officers that Gaza with in days will be in a humanitarian crisis. Those officers whom remained nameless predicted the obvious result. Fuel for the only power station in Gaza that supplies only 30% of Gaza's needs, mainly to Gaza city and the north would last until Sunday at 2000. And indeed the complete closure of the crossings with no fuel, food or medication going through, left the majority of the population in despair and in limbo.
Hamas let the world do its job, proclaiming collective punishment, the International community especially UNRWA, the largest organization in the middle east, threatened that due to the lack of food and nylon bags to pack its wheat in it would cease activities. All the time Hamas orchestrated from behind the scenes. Pictures of the march of candles on Sunday, followed by the freezing children in hospitals were great leaders for the media story. Stories of people suffering due to the harsh inhumane acts of the Israeli government were the subtext that the world nibbled up. Everybody lost interest in the rockets and mortars by Sunday at 2000. Less than 24 hours later the Ministry of Defense declared it would resume flow of fuel and international aid. Since then a trickle of fuel has enabled the power plant to resume its activities, and the International Community have continued to struggle to work. This all led to the obvious on Wednesday evening, the rupturing in a well orchestrated act of blowing up the separation wall on the border between Gaza and Egypt. Now you don't need intelligence to predict such a move. It could actually be a positive on for Israel if it leads to reliving Israel from its occupational obligations. On the other hand, it will definitely open Gaza to those outside influences, i.e. Iran, Syria and Hizbullah, the Israeli defense establishment is so concerned about. While Egypt has said that will seal the border again, it has also pointed out that it will not let Gaza starve, so the prediction for the near future is that the border will be open a couple of times a week to enable the Palestinians of Gaza to get their breath of fresh air. Welcome to the new Gaza pressure valve, no longer any need for tunnels.
The Secretary General on the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, in a press briefing called on cessation of violence. "What I would like to urge to the parties concerned [is], first of all, first and foremost, they should try to resolve all the issues, all the political issues, however complex, however difficult they may be, to resolve in a peaceful means, through dialogue". HA! Dialogue.

Happy New Year - Back from My Pilgrimage as are many in Gaza

So I have been away for some time, trying to think things out and also trying to figure out what to do with this blog...... I still haven't come to any clear decision if I should continue or not. I am not to sure my writing interests anybody, I would be grateful for any comments.

This weeks high light was definitely the stand off between Egypt, Israel & Hamas. Now following the happenings of the relations between Israel and Egypt and the thorn in both of their sides Hamas, it was obvious, at least for me, that Egypt would eventually allow Hamas to open the Rafah border. There was no way Hamas was going to let the Pilgrims come back to the Gaza Strip via the tri-state border Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem), and let its people go through any type of "security checks" by the Israelis. So when the "Crisis of Mecca" started it was a matter of how long Egypt was going to make a fool of itself. I also don't understand those Israeli advisers, I am certain they didn't believe that Egypt would actually accept their conditions under pressure from the Palestinians in Gaza and the entire Muslim world.

So people are happy to be back, and in the mean time the Islamic Jihad has been high on the Israeli military ans air force priority list. Did some one say "look out Hania here we come"?

Anyway, just some of my thought for the situation.....