Meretz USA Opposes Decision to Cut Fuel and Electricity to Gaza Strip

10/31/07

New York, NY...Meretz USA President Larry Lerner has expressed regret over Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s order to begin cutting the fuel and electricity supply to the Gaza Strip. Lerner termed the order, “an unfortunate decision that will only bring greater suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

“Beyond the obvious concerns of collective punishment being meted out to Palestinian non-combatants,” Lerner remarked, “Barak’s decision – previously authorized by the Israeli cabinet – will in no way ease the plight of the innocent residents of Sderot and the surrounding region, who have been terrorized by indiscriminate shelling far too long. As Israeli defense officials themselves have observed, the new Israeli sanctions will not stop the shelling: Indeed the Palestinian organizations in Gaza are expected to only step up their attacks in order to demonstrate that they cannot be broken.”

The rest of the Meretz USA President’s statement follows:

It appears, therefore, that Barak’s decision is part of a more ambitious strategy: The first stage in a plan to eventually launch a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, for which the Defense Minister has publicly been pushing. If true, the power-cut policy would be aimed at “softening up” the Gazan population, while allowing Israel to argue that it had “tried everything” before embarking on a risky military venture.

Sadly, such a move would almost certainly boomerang: Rather than promoting quiet and peace, a massive invasion would increase Palestinian extremism, weaken support for Palestinian President Abbas among his own people, and drive the population of Gaza further into the arms of those who glorify armed struggle.

Instead of seeking to ratchet up the tension in Gaza, Defense Minister Barak and the entire Israeli government should be embarking on a realistic initiative aimed at hammering out a cease-fire with Hamas and reaching a deal for the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit. Hamas has not yet proved itself a partner for diplomatic negotiations - it has yet to suggest that it would recognize Israel – and has yet to earn a place at the table at the upcoming Annapolis peace conference. But Israel should recall that, throughout its history and when it served its interests, it has reached cease-fire agreements and truces with regional neighbors that sought its destruction. Israel’s long-range interests are best served by a negotiating process with a moderate Palestinian government – that of Abbas and Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. A cease-fire with Hamas could smooth the road to Annapolis while bringing a much-deserved quiet to Sderot’s embattled citizenry.