There’s a punchline here about adding fuel to the fire, but this is just too predictably pathetic for humor:
The European Union on Tuesday urged Israel to carefully reconsider the impact its cuts in energy supplies to the Gaza Strip will have on Palestinian civilians… “The EU notes with concern Israel’s decision to reduce the supply of fuel to Gaza, an essential service to the civilian population,” said a statement from the Portuguese government, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency. “While condemning the unacceptable and continued attacks on Israel’s territory and recognizing the Israel’s legitimate right to self defense, the EU underlines the need for carefully weighing the negative impact of such measures on a civilian population already living under very difficult conditions,” the statement added… Israel’s defense establishment has expressed plans to cut electricity by 1 per cent – or 15 minutes each day – to those areas in the Strip from where the rockets are fired, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.
Apparently Israel’s “legitimate right to self defense” doesn’t include “not providing Hamas soldiers with fuel so they can drive to the border, fire rockets at Israeli schools and hospitals, and drive home.” Because you know that when countries go to war with each other , they always made sure to give the other side fuel. Out of humanitarian considerations, of course. The oh-so-downtrodden Palestinian people elected Hamas, and Gaza is a Hamas electoral stronghold anyway. But apparently populations are no longer held responsible for genocidal governments that they empower. Just like when the Allies went out of their way to spare the populations of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.
On that subject, there’s a school of thought that holds that maybe the Israelis are still being a little too nice to the people who want to wipe them out:
Israel continues to allow money into the Gaza Strip from the West Bank despite increased sanctions, including fuel reductions, on the Strip. Israel agreed last week to another shipment of funds into Gaza via the Erez crossing. Security forces said the money was intended for salaries Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has committed to paying. The tens of millions of shekels will pay tens of thousands of PA workers and Fatah activists’ salaries. Hamas has thus far not blocked the transfer.
Of course Hamas didn’t block the transfer. They desperately need hard currency in the Gaza Strip, if only to keep what’s left of the Gaza economy – and their credibility – afloat. More importantly: how else are they going to confiscate it and use it to fund their war against Israel?
References:
* EU urges Israel to reconsider cuts in energy supply to Gaza [Ha'aretz]
* Israel allows money into Gaza Strip despite sanctions [Ha'aretz]
Previously:
* Slate Seems a Little Confused about the Israeli-EU Relationship
* EU Again Backs Out of Monitoring Agreement, Endangers Israeli Security
* Hamas Has 200 Tons Of Explosives That The US Gave To Fatah (Plus: Egypt Says It’s Israel’s Fault)
