Israel as a Rogue State 56

Israel reveals Gaza blockade restrictions

Page last updated at 16:51 GMT, Sunday, 20 June 2010 17:51 UK

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PM Netanyahu said the list of banned items would be published quickly

Israel has given details of its plan to ease the blockade of Gaza, with most civilian goods now expected to be let into the territory.

Israel will allow item into Gaza unless they feature on a new list which specifies banned goods.

The changes had been proposed by Middle East envoy Tony Blair.

Israel has blockaded Gaza since 2005, but has been faced heavy criticism since the recent killing of nine people on an aid flotilla heading to Gaza.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a long list of previously banned items, which included some food, domestic equipment and building materials would be replaced by a shorter, specific list of "weapons and war materiel".

Items classified as "dual-use" (suitable for civilian or military use) would be reassessed and goods destined for projects such as UN-backed housebuilding would be assured of entry, an Israeli government statement said.

Israel said it would maintain its naval blockade of Gaza, with Mr Blair adding that all goods destined to Gaza sent by sea would be diverted via the Israeli port of Ashdod.

The decision to ease the blockade was made last week after two days of discussion by the country's security cabinet.

The full Israeli cabinet met on Sunday to ratify the decision.

KEY ENTRY POINTS INTO GAZA

• Rafah - under Egyptian control. Since flotilla deaths, opened indefinitely for people only. Has been closed for the vast majority of the time over the last three years. Makeshift tunnels in this area used to smuggle in goods, including weapons • Erez - under Israeli control. Crossing for pedestrians and cargo. Access restricted to Palestinians under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority and to Egyptians or international aid officials • Karni - main crossing point for commercial goods • Sufa - official crossing point for construction materials • Kerem Shalom - for commercial and humanitarian goods. These last three crossings have been frequently closed by Israeli army since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 • Opening of seaport and bus routes to West Bank had been agreed in 2005 but plans since shelved • Airport - bombed by Israel in early years of the 2000 Intifada • 'Buffer zone' inside Gaza where it borders Israel. Gazan farmers forbidden to enter the zone http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/10361711.stm Syria's Bashar al-Assad warns of Middle East conflict Page last updated at 10:55 GMT, Thursday, 17 June 2010 11:55 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version "When you don't have peace you have to expect war" Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said Israel's raid on the Gaza aid flotilla has increased the chances of war in the Middle East. In an interview with the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, he said Syria was working to prevent a regional war. But he added that there was no chance of a peace deal with the current Israeli administration, which he called a "pyromaniac government". Mr Assad also rejected claims he was arming Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Nine Turkish activists died during last month's raid on the Free Gaza ships attempting to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. Analysis Continue reading the main story Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor President Bashar al-Assad has the air of a man who thinks matters are going his way - even though he shares the common Middle Eastern view that the region is getting more dangerous. Israel, the US and Britain are convinced that not only is Mr Assad arming Hezbollah, but that he is also sending bigger, better and more accurate weapons than before. And he seems in no mood to respond to US attempts to woo him away from Syria's long-term strategic alliance with Iran. Asked if the Israeli raid had increased the chance of war in the Middle East, Mr Assad said: "Definitely, definitely." "When you don't have peace, you have to expect war every day, and this is very dangerous," he said. Israel has set up an inquiry into the raid after rejecting a United Nations proposal for an international investigation, but Turkey has said that it has no confidence in the impartiality of the investigation. "[The raid has] destroyed any chance for peace in the near future," Mr Assad said. "Mainly because it proved that this government is another pyromaniac government, and you cannot achieve peace with such [a] government." The current Israeli administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "different from any previous Israeli government", Mr Assad said. He said there had been indications before the raid on the Gaza flotilla about "their intentions towards peace, their intentions towards the Palestinians, their intentions to kill Palestinians". ISRAEL AND SYRIA Continue reading the main story 1967 Israel seizes Golan Heights from Syria 1981 Israel annexes Golan Heights. Population of Golan grows to an estimated 20,000 Israelis and 20,000 Syrians 1999 talks begin on Golan Heights in the US 2000 US talks break down 2008 February, Israel and Syria begin indirect talks in Turkey 2008 September talks break down 2010 Free Gaza flotilla stopped by Israel in international waters Profile: Syria's Bashar al-Assad The Golan Heights Mr Assad denied that he was sending weapons to the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006. He said he was happy to do business with the United States, but insisted that Iran would remain an ally. And he added that Turkey, which had been mediating between Syria and Israel, was unlikely to do so now following the flotilla raid - unless the Israeli government changed. "The Turks never attacked Israel, never smuggled weapons, never did anything harmful to Israel. They only worked for peace," he said. Syria had been in indirect talks with the former Israeli government of Ehud Olmert in 2008 until Mr Olmert resigned, facing corruption charges. In recent months US foreign policy worked on the assumption that persuading Syria to come on board with them would be a piece of "low-hanging fruit" in the region, our correspondent says. But now it is becoming apparent that gaining the support of Syria to help fix the Middle East peace process will not be easy at all, he adds. The US has offered to drop five year-long sanctions against Syria in return for Syria dropping its ties with regional ally Iran. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10337041.stm