Israel Rejects U.N. Aid Plea

If it looks heartless and sounds heartless, it probably is heartless. A direct quote from a Voice of America news piece: “Israel is ignoring pleas by the United Nations to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, standing firm on its blockade of the Palestinian territory.”

Voice of America:

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Army Radio Wednesday there must be calm before the border crossings can open.

Israel sealed its border with Gaza earlier this month after fighting erupted between Israeli troops and Hamas militants.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon phoned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Tuesday to express his concern about Gaza’s humanitarian situation. 

A U.N. statement said Mr. Ban urged the Israeli leader to facilitate the movement of humanitarian supplies and U.N. personnel into the Gaza Strip.

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AP photo / Ariel Schalit

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack oversees a blockade of Gaza that has led to food and fuel shortages in the aid-dependent Palestinian territory.