Wednesday March 4, 2009, 8:19 am
Israel allows water filtration system into Gaza; refuses children's toys from UNICEF

March 3, 2009


Bethlehem - Ma’an - A UN report revealed that Israel, though refusing to allow construction materials into Gaza, allowed a Brackish Water Desalination Plant, nine trucks of prefab materials for school assembly between 22 and 28 February.

During the same time period 57 boxes of children’s toys from UNICEF were denied entry. "According to COGAT (coordinator of government activities in the territories)," the UN report released Tuesday said, "The toys were not a humanitarian priority."

Israeli authorities have resolutely refused to allow concrete, steel bars and construction equipment into the West Bank for fear that it would fall into the hands of Hamas. A Brackish Water Desalination Plant includes filtration systems, pumps, pressure valves, chemical treatment materials, electronic switchboards and remote control systems. The plant will provide 50 m3 of drinking water per hour which will benefit approximately 22,000 refugees in the Al-Bureij camp in the central strip.

While there is no question that such systems are a humanitarian necessity, according to reports by leading NGOs in the area, they have also stressed the importance of school supplies and the danger of major psychosomatic trauma among the children of Gaza.

Israel allowed a prefab school building into Gaza, but not 50 Early Childhood Education kits from UNICEF.

So as the refusals continue bare-minimum materials are allowed piecemeal into Gaza despite international partners who have "pressed for this incessantly" as Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations for the European Union said Tuesday.

Wednesday March 4, 2009, 2:50 pm
This is so shocking! What a disgrace.

Thank you Madalena for raising awareness.

The world really needs to know.

Wednesday March 4, 2009, 5:38 pm
A few days ago,
the Israelis were saying that
rice was a humanitarian need,
but pasta was not.
Now, they're denying toys to children?!
What the hell?!
Just when I think they're at the lowest,
Israel sinks lower yet.
Thanks, Mada.
noted.

Thursday March 5, 2009, 6:09 am
This attitude is really inhumane

Friday March 6, 2009, 5:53 am
If Hamas would spent less effort on smuggling weapons to bomb Israelis, Gazan children would have plenty of toys! Otherwize, stupidity or extrmism their parents causes them this suffering.

Down with HAMAS.

Friday March 6, 2009, 7:56 am
"It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured."Tacitus

Israel is guilty of mass murder and war crimes.

It is because of Israel and its government that the children have been suffering so much.

Saturday March 7, 2009, 5:13 am
Puh-leeze Zhorik, denying toys is just more nazi like tactics! Children have nothing to do with the adults smuggling weapons and to justify the denial of toys because of Hamas is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard! The Hamas excuse is getting really really lame! I do not support any terrorists and that includes the IDF and Mossad!