PM to Jones: Gaza crossings to remain shut until Schalit free

[Chris]

PM to Jones: Gaza crossings to remain shut until Schalit free
By HERB KEINON

Israel will continue to keep the Gaza crossings closed, except to allow in humanitarian aid, until the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told US National Security Advisor Jim Jones Wednesday. Sources in the Prime Minister's Office said a decision made by Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday to allow the shipment of hundreds of tons of cement into Gaza did not signal a change in the country's policies regarding the Gaza crossings. Rather, the sources said, the cement was earmarked specifically for three humanitarian projects, including a sewage plant under construction in northern Gaza as well as a flour mill.

In total, the IDF will allow in over 300 tons of cement. Israel has been under mounting international pressure since Operation Cast Lead to allow cement and steel into Gaza to rebuild the region. Israel has barred the transfer of these materials out of concern they would not be used to rebuild the region, but rather to rebuild Hamas' terrorist infrastructure.

more..............PM: Gaza crossings to remain closed until Schalit free | Israel | Jerusalem Post

[Chris]

Netanyahu, U.S. Security Adviser meet on Iran, Mideast peace
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and DPA

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones in Jerusalem Wednesday evening, for a private meeting on Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the Iranian threat and other issues relating to promoting Middle East peace. Netanyahu told Jones that Israel would not fully open the Gaza border crossings until captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit was released.

Shalit was kidnapped by Gaza militants in a June 2006 cross-border raid. Hamas has demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails in return for Shalit's freedom. Jones was in Israel for briefings related to Iran's nuclear program, in the midst of a week of intense U.S.-Israeli diplomacy. General Jones heard updates from several senior Israeli security officials, before meeting with Netanyahu.

more............Netanyahu, U.S. Security Adviser meet on Iran, Mideast peace - Haaretz - Israel News

[Chris]

Sounds good to me. The terrorists should not be rewarded with open crossings to carryout their evil deeds.