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ISRAEL’S DECISION to change its blockade of Gaza provides welcome confirmation that it is capable of yielding to international pressure in its own interests. Substituting a list of goods prohibited on security grounds for the much longer one designed to punish its population for supporting Hamas should ease humanitarian suffering among Gaza’s 1.5 million population, which has endured this intense blockade for three years. It will allow essential infrastructure projects go ahead. And it could open the way to a more active set of peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
The Israeli blockade was first introduced in June 2006 when its soldier Gilad Shalit was captured. It was strengthened when Hamas seized power from Fatah one year later, effectively as a form of collective punishment directed against the whole population of the territory. It was reinforced during the rocket attacks on Israeli targets from Gaza and after Israel’s devastating attack on Gaza 18 months ago. The timing of this decision three weeks after Israeli commandos intercepted a Gaza-bound Turkish-led aid flotilla in international waters and killed nine activists came in response to stronger international demands.
