Gaza
Do you think that the relaxing of the Gaza blockade by Israel is adequate? Shouldn’t it be lifted completely?
We are waiting to hear the details of these measures in order to assess their scope. If these announcements are confirmed they would represent a step in the right direction.
We hope that these announcements will swiftly result in real improvement on the ground with respect to the conditions of access by the population of Gaza to the goods and equipment that they need.
I want to remind you that France and its European partners called for the lifting of the Gaza blockade which, as we repeatedly stated, created an impossible situation.
With respect to the humanitarian aspect, the Foreign Affairs Council of June 14 endorsed Tony Blair’s proposals which were championed by Bernard Kouchner, Franco Frattini and Miguel Angel Moratinos in their joint article published on June 11 in the European press under the title “Averting another Gaza.” We suggest a shift from a logic of denial of supplies to Gaza, with certain exceptions, to one based on general authorization, with the exception of banned products.
Lastly I want to stress that Bernard Kouchner expressed his views on this topic this morning.