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Pro-Israel group: Netanyahu promises 40,000 tons of cement precursors to Gaza -- does not demand Gilad Shalit
"Sanctity of cement has become more holy than sanctity of Shalit's human life" charges Mattot Arim
An Israeli group charged that PM Netanyahu made many concessions to Quartet emissary Tony Blair on 4 February, regarding Gaza (as well as other crucial matters). Mr. Netanyahu allowed Mr. Blair to totally disregard the urgent need for Gilad Shalit's release -- and instead to focus solely and exclusively on economic well-being of Palestinians, such as supplying cement, as though Gilad Shalit were a side issue or did not exist at all.
Mattot Arim, an Israeli peace-for-peace grassroots organization founded in 1992, called upon Mr. Netanyahu to immediately clarify to the Quartet that Gilad's immediate and unconditional humanitarian release must take place before Gaza has any right to request economic improvement for itself. "The sanctity of cement has become more holy than sanctity of Shalit's human life," the organization accused.
At the 4 February meeting, Tony Blair said in a concluding statement: "It is important we continue to do all we can to improve the conditions and living standards of the Palestinian people. Indeed it is now especially important. I am pleased at the package of measures agreed today with the Government of Israel. I thank the Prime Minister for his personal... support for these measures....First, a comprehensive set of changes in Gaza... The most important is ... supply of Palestinian offshore gas to Gaza power plants and specific project approval to a new power station there....[T]his is an important breakthrough for the ... people in Gaza.... There is also ...entry of construction materials to enable projects to be completed on schedule. There are further measures to promote Gaza exports, especially in furniture and textiles.... A further 20 named construction projects will be approved. We aim to begin a pilot project for private sector construction materials by 1 April; and in February the Government of Israel will transfer around 40,000 tons of aggregates from Sufa/Karni into Gaza. [T]hese measures should result... in a radical overhaul of Gaza's infrastructure."
Gilad Shalit seemed to not even be mentioned in the concluding statements, either by Mr. Blair or by Mr. Netanyahu. Shalit's release was certainly not demanded as a pre-condition.
Mattot Arim said today: The National Camp has always insisted that there is much Israel can do for Gilad Shalit that it is not doing. Acquiescence to Mr. Blair's demands constitutes a particularly horrific example. We call on all Israelis, Jewish communities abroad and friends of Israel to demand from Gaza, from Mr. Blair and of course from Mr. Netanyahu: Gilad Shalit before economic projects! Gilad Shalit's release before construction materials! Gilad Shalit -- home, today!!
Mattot Arim said they would call on the Israeli public to contact Israeli Knesset members and urge them to block pro-Gaza measures unless Gilad Shalit is released first. Mattot Arim said that many other pre-conditions should also be stipulated by Israel, regarding security on the southern border.
Gilad Shalit was captured from inside Israel by Hamas when he was less than 20 years old and has been a hostage in Gaza for 5 years. Hamas has attempted to extort release of convicted terrorists from Israeli prisons, in return for Shalit. Some in Israel's National Camp, notably the terror victims' organizations, have said that release of convicted terrorists from their prison cells is dangerous and illegitimate and that other means should be employed to secure Gilad Shalit's release. The Quartet represents the US, European Union, UN and Russia; Shalit holds dual French and Israeli citizenship, making him a subject of the European Union of which Blair is an emissary. Human rights organizations have determined that Shalit's imprisonment is contrary to international humanitarian law.
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