Israel plans to 'isolate Gaza 100 percent'

Israel says planing to separate itself completely from Palestinian territory in long term.
Middle East on Line, 27.10.07. TEL AVIV - Israel plans to paralyse the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip in every possible way and separate itself completely from the Palestinian territory in the long term, a minister said on Saturday.

"We want to separate ourselves from the Gaza Strip at the level of its infrastructure in every way possible," Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai told Israeli public radio.

On Thursday Defence Minister Ehud Barak announced that Israel would start periodic electricity cuts and limit fuel deliveries to the Strip because of the continued firing of rockets by militants.

But Vilnai said these measures were not really because of the rocket firing "but really to achieve the separation of this territory, which was approved in principle two weeks ago by the Israeli government, and whose application had only been delayed for a simple legalistic check."

In September, the security cabinet decreed the Gaza Strip "a hostile entity." It has been controlled completely by Hamas since mid-June when the democratically elected movement ousted security forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and the Fatah party.

"Long term we want to separate ourselves from this territory, 100 percent," said Vilnai.

Since the Hamas takeover the Israelis have imposed a tight vice around the Gaza Strip, closing crossing points and only allowing through essential products.

Palestinians and human rights groups charge that the noose around the Strip amounts to collective punishment of civilians, contrary to international law.

The sanctions, the first of their kind since the Palestinian intifada or uprising began in late September 2000, can now proceed without further authorisation from the Israeli government.

Since the uprising started, a total of 5,906 people -- the vast majority of them Palestinians -- have been killed.

More Kassams, Lights Still on in Gaza

Ezra HaLevi, IsraelNationalNews, 28.10.07. Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai (Labor), who outlined the proposal of cutting power to Gaza, significantly modified his description of the new policy in an interview on Saturday. Vilnai said the decision to cut electricity periodically is aimed at “continuing and completing the disengagement from Gaza,” – using the term coined by Ariel Sharon for Israel’s withdrawal of the army and eviction of 9,000 Jewish residents from the region.

Vilnai, facing accusations from within his party and from leftist groups like Peace Now (see below) that the move is too hawkish, now says that it is not a case of collective punishment, but a step toward encouraging Gazan independence. “I know that the move will not prevent rocket fire,” Vilnai said. He explained that the move is simply the reduction of fuel exports into Gaza and the scaling back of electricity very gradually to allow Gaza to begin producing its own electricity or directing more in from Egypt. Vilnai said the power outages would begin Sunday or Monday.