World Watch
January 5, 2011 11:46 AM

WikiLeaks: Israel Intentionally Kept Gaza on Brink of Economic Collapse

By
Joshua Norman
Topics
World Watch

A Palestinian youth carries a container with drinking water at Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, in June, 2010, around the time Israel began to ease its blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory.

(Credit: AP Photo)
Most Western countries were unnerved by Hamas militants' takeover of Gaza in June, 2007, but none more so than Israel.

Israeli officials decided to respond by keeping "the Gazan economy functioning at the lowest level possible consistent with avoiding a humanitarian crisis," according to the latest diplomatic cable release from the Norwegian daily Aftenposten.

Three cables cited by the Aftenposten newspaper, showed that Israel kept the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv briefed on its internationally criticized blockade of the Gaza Strip, reports Reuters.

One cable, dated Nov. 3, 2008, states that "Israel has designated Gaza as a 'hostile entity,' and maintained an economic embargo against the territory. Under this designation, decisions on ... the territory's economy in general are treated ... as security matters."

After Hamas' takeover, Israel imposed a heavy embargo on Gaza intended to just barely avoid "pushing it over the edge."

Special Report: WikiLeaks

Since a deadly Israeli raid on a supply ship bound for Gaza in May, 2010, the Jewish state says it has significantly relaxed the blockade, with dozens of truckloads of goods entering the territory daily, Reuters reports. Aid organizations have said shipments should be increased further.

Palestinians say impoverished Gaza remains effectively a "prison" sealed off by Israel, and have called for an opening to allow normal trade and other links with the world, Reuters reports.


  • Joshua Norman

    Joshua Norman is an associate editor at CBSNews.com.

Add a Comment See all 19 Comments
by WeHappyFew January 8, 2011 1:20 PM EST
When an African, Arab or even( in the case of the former Yugoslavia) a European country indulges in ethnic cleansing the free world will readily condemn. Why the blind spot with Israel? Is it because the oppressed are not our 'friends'? Is there a hierarchy of victimhood?
Reply to this comment
by wyodutch January 6, 2011 10:12 AM EST
Israel? I think this sums it up succinctly...

"I've never seen a President -- I don't care who he is -- stand up to them. It just boggles the mind. They always get what they want. The Israelis know what is going on all the time. I got to the point where I wasn't writing anything down. If the American people understood what a grip these people have got on our government, they would rise up in arms. Our citizens certainly don't have any idea what goes on."
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Regarding Israel's attack on the U.S. Navy ship 'USS LIBERTY'... "I believe [Israel]concluded that they could prevent Washington from becoming aware of what Israel was up to by destroying the primary source of acquiring that information the USS Liberty. The result was a wanton sneak attack that left 34 American sailors dead and 171 seriously injured. What is so chilling and cold-blooded, of course, is that they could kill as many Americans as they did in confidence that Washington would cooperate in quelling any public outcry."


Former Cheif of Naval Operations and Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Thomas H. Moorer, during an interview on 24 August, 1983
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(Now... let's hear it from the Israel First cheerleaders. OK girls.. grab your pompoms and slip into your cheerleading skirt.)
Reply to this comment
by YrWrongAgain January 6, 2011 11:24 AM EST
You wrap your support for Hamas in the American flag.
by YrWrongAgain January 6, 2011 3:31 PM EST
Hmm, the sister act? Is this White Christmas?

He knows as well as you do who you are supporting. Don't be coy.
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 5:22 PM EST
There's a brothel in a prison madhouse that will need your services eventually. But in the meantime, at least try to keep up appearances, okay?
Reply to this comment
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 3:37 PM EST
Tell us what you know about the pro-Axis politics of the Near East during WW2 and how little that has changed. It's like watching Raiders of the Lost Ark, and you're pimping for the bad guys.
Reply to this comment
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 5:16 PM EST
Wow. So much gonad attention. Force of habit?
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 2:43 PM EST
I hope that some of you remain unemployed long enough to post all of your silly rants. Should take a lifetime.
Reply to this comment
by nottblu January 5, 2011 1:24 PM EST
Hey CBS, was there any reason for this economic warfare? Just another anti-semite article from the writers here at leftwing central.
Reply to this comment
by grosskoft January 5, 2011 2:20 PM EST
I do agree that this article is filled with anti-semetic views...It shows just how anti-semitic Israel is. PALESTIAN PEOPLE ARE SEMITIC PEOPLE.

Israelis learned from ww2, if you want to kill a whole population of people you have to do it slowly.
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 2:39 PM EST
I thought you died at Waco.
See all 4 Replies
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 12:48 PM EST
As a Jihad police state, Hamas would have bankrupted Gaza anyway.
Reply to this comment
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 5:19 PM EST
Much like Jesus, I suppose.
by bradkt1 January 5, 2011 12:16 PM EST
I have no sympathy for either Hamas or Israel...but the Palestinians have brought this upon themselves by electing a government that continues to wage war against Israel.
Reply to this comment
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 9:54 PM EST
You are demented.
by tsigili January 5, 2011 12:09 PM EST
You do what you have to, when someone is waging constant war against you.
Reply to this comment
by YrWrongAgain January 5, 2011 5:20 PM EST
There's a German village in Paraguay that feels the same way.
See all 19 Comments
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