""If the purpose of the embargo policy was to weaken the Hamas administration . . ." UNRWA can't imagine that the embargo might be aiming to keep war materiel from Hamas. That says enough about UNRWA.

Bernstam.

This is how BBC world service radio news (9 am, Sg time) conveniently LINKS the report to the mission of the FLOTILLA of 2010 and 2011.

Mark WHINES that the blockade "make things DIFFICULT for the CIVILIAN population". (my EMPHASIS) But just 2 months ago, he DERIDES and POO-POOS the Israeli govt's ECONOMIC plan to build an island off Gaza - to be RUN BY the palis - that will have sea & air PORTS, hotel accommodations and DESALINATION facility. He CLAIMS that Gaza's "produce cannot exit". Which is a TOTAL LIE. Cos, OFFICIAL records show that between Nov 2010 and Feb this year, Gaza EXPORTED more than 315 tons of strawberries, more than 3 MILLION carnations and more than 6 tons of peppers. And as reported by Chinese media, Gaza CONTINUES to export even AFTER hamas staged a MURDEROUS coup d'etat against its fatah rivals in 2007. And while he CONDEMNS Israel, Mark does NOT make a tiny little SQUEAK about Egypt's ECONOMIC blockade of Gaza. But, hey, that's what a COWARD does best - COWERS before a real BULLY.

Did UNRWA ever branded any Israeli policy as effective and productive??? Who gives a damn about their condemnation?!?!?

didn't Egypt open the Rafah crossing? Isn't this no longer a "blockade" if indeed, one border is open?

why the world needs to back this. so simple and so deplorable, all at once.

Well intelligence and common sense it aint The blockade is a result of acts of terrorism and attacks on Israel and Hamas standing by its Charter to destroy Israel. Hence a blockade is completely legal and legitimate and the economic plight of Gazans is a direct result of Hamas. No ifs no buts. So if UNWRA have any constructive advice to give - give it to Hamas. Thats the negative And the positives? If there is to be a 2 State Solution we have to recognise that Palestine and Israel are the closest of neighbours and to a great extent futures intertwined and they have to cooperate and work together. And the benefits of a full peace are not only Israels security but a prosperity for Palestine that could be truly remarkable! Now thats what I call WIN WIN

billions in aid goes to Gaza.

employment is actually the responsibility of unrwa, which, in spite of its fancy name ("un refugee welfare agency"), is really the un's welfare agency for palestinian refugees. (it serves no other group of refugees, and it never has). the purpose of israel's blockade is to prevent weapons from reaching the terrorists in gaza, chief among them hamas, who are in a declared state of war with israel. and it has been largely successful at that. in spite of the blockade, israel allows 400 truckloads of non-military supplies through the border crossings EVERY DAY. a fact which unrwa, and the palestinian propaganda machine, conveniently forget to mention.

Here's the process: 1.0 each UN member country passes a law to cease funding nonstate tribal arab refugees 2.0 each UN member country passes a law to cease funding UNRWA 3.0 each UN member country votes on a UN resolution to relocate the refugees to arab countries that will take them 4.0 each UN member country votes on a UN resolution to dismantle UNRWA

According to the C.I.A World Factbook unemployment in Gaza was 50% in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Actually higher before the blockade than after.

TUNNEL DIGGING

If you're in good physical conditon, volunteer for the IDF or to help out on a Kibbutz