France Urges Israel to 0pen Gaza Crossings, Rafah Remains Closed to Human Traffic

Rafah remains closed to human traffic; stranded Gazans appeal to PA

Date: 09 / 03 / 2009 Time: 16:45
Gaza – Ma’an –

Stranded on the borders between Egypt and Gaza, hundreds of Gazans are waiting to pass into Egypt for treatment, or back into Gaza to be with their families.

Those trapped have expressed strong resentment of the administrative chaos they have been trying to negotiate in the process of getting (or not getting) visas to cross the land border. They are calling on Egypt to open the crossing as soon as possible, and officials have responded saying only that it will be open soon.

The de facto Ministry of the Interior in Gaza responded to the calls by announcing they had registered more than 3,000 foreign residency holders and 600 patients waiting to cross into Egypt. They demanded that the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s ambassador to Egypt increase his efforts in having the crossing opened.

The crossing was last open from 22-25 February, when more than 1,500 individuals passed through the border.

Israel imposes three-day blanket closure on West Bank

Date: 08 / 03 / 2009 Time: 19:53

Bethlehem – Ma’an –

The Israeli occupation government will close its borders with the West Bank on Sunday night due to the Jewish holiday of Purim. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the army to close the borders from Sunday night through Wednesday evening, due to the holiday.

France urges Israel to open Gaza Strip crossings

Date: 09 / 03 / 2009 Time: 19:27
Bethlehem – Ma’an –

France is demanding that the Israeli occupation government open its crossings with the Gaza Strip, according to a statement sent to Ma’an from the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry on Monday.

“Gaza’s reconstruction and the poor humanitarian and economic situation will not improve but through opening the crossings permanently,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry also warned that reconstruction “will not be carried out” without a significant change in Israel’s handling of the issue of crossings at its borders with Gaza.

According to a spokesperson, the Palestinian Authority “has proved its ability to achieve results, particularly in the fields of security,” and should be permitted to manage funds “at the heard of the reconstruction process.”

The statement noted that “2009 should be the year of establishing the Palestinian state,” and with the “active assistance of France.”

Meanwhile, France’s minister of foreign affairs, Bernard Kushner, signed an agreement with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to support the PA’s budget with a promise on delivering 25 million euros during a donor’s conference earlier this month in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm Ash-Sheikh.

Five million euros of that pledge would be used to rebuild houses destroyed in Gaza, the minister said.

France is also planning to deliver 68 million euros in 2009, 25 euros for the PA’s budget, 32 million for its projects, and 11 in humanitarian and food aid. Forty percent of the funds were allocated to support Gaza, the statement noted.

France, along with other partners, will contribute to the rehabilitation and upgrading of Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza, where a French delegation assessed needs in February.

France organized a donors conference of its own for Palestine in December 2007, where pledges were made for the PA for reforms and development from 2008-2010.

France also sent nine planes filled with medical aid and 200 medical staff members to the Gaza Strip in late 2008 during Israel’s devastating 22-day assault on the Gaza Strip.

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