ISRAELI FOREIGN minister Avigdor Lieberman intends to present European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton with radical proposals next week designed to end Gaza’s dependence on Israel.
The measures aim to end the Israeli blockade on Gaza and envisage massive international intervention, led by the EU, to supply necessities such as water and electricity, which are provided by Israel.
Last month, following the killing of nine Turkish activists when Israeli commandos intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Israel declared it would ease its blockade on Gaza.
But Mr Lieberman's secret proposals, leaked yesterday by Israel's best-selling daily Yediot Aharonot, go much further, essentially turning Gaza into an independent entity.
The plan seeks to put an end to global criticism that the Israeli occupation of Gaza has continued de facto even though Israeli troops withdrew from the strip five years ago after removing more than 7,000 Jewish settlers from the area.
Mr Lieberman proposes that Israel seal its Gaza border and abandon its demand to inspect vessels, allowing ships to sail to Gaza after checks for weapons in either Greece or Cyprus.
He also wants EU backing for the Hamas rulers in Gaza to build their own power plant and seawater desalination plant to end their dependence on Israel for electricity and water.
The international community will also be asked to help the massive construction of homes for Gaza residents. Israel envisages a European military force on the Israel-Gaza border and, more controversially, European military assistance to prevent weapons smuggling.
Baroness Ashton will visit Gaza tomorrow at the start of her second trip to the region since she was appointed the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security last December.
“We’re actually waiting for an official request from Israel for assistance . . . It all depends on a request from the Israelis,” said a diplomatic source in an EU member state.
Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, rejected the Israeli plan, saying Gaza remained part of the occupied Palestinian territories. “The plan to declare Gaza an independent entity, which the Israeli occupation is talking about from time to time, is a Zionist attempt to escape from the Jewish state responsibilities as an occupier,” he said.