January 20, 2008

A tale of two cities

Israel is fed up with the daily rocket attacks from palestinian-occupied Gaza - several dozen each day hit inside Israel. So Israel shuts off fuel deliveries to a Gaza power plant. (While still continuing to provide 75% of the electricity that Gaza uses). Gaza blacks out the main city claiming that it's the evil Jeeewwwssss that are doing this to our poor people. From USA Today/AP:
Gaza plunged into darkness as Israel blocks fuel
Gaza's only electrical plant shut down Sunday after Israel blocked the shipment of fuel that powers them, plunging Gaza City into darkness and sending already beleaguered Gazans to stock up on food and batteries in anticipation of long, dark, cold days ahead. A U.N. agency and human rights groups condemned Israel, but Israel said they should direct their criticism at Palestinian militant groups that fire rockets at southern Israel every day.

Israel sealed all crossings into Gaza last week because of a spike in rocket barrages, cutting off fuel. Several weeks ago Israel reduced the supply as a pressure tactic.

In addition to the fuel it receives from Israel to power its electrical plant, Gaza gets about two-thirds of its electricity directly from Israel. Israeli officials said that supply would not be affected.

Hamas officials shut down the plant and plunged Gaza City into total darkness, Gaza Energy Authority head Kanan Obeid said. TV crews and reporters were invited to witness the shutdown just before 8 p.m.

Minutes later, Gaza residents started a candlelight march as a protest. Live Associated Press TV pictures showed dots of light moving slowly up a main street.
A spontaneous protest of course -- the Hamas government would never think to invite reporters for any kind of staged protest now would they... The palestinians are very deserving of a state. Plasma is a state isn't it? Posted by DaveH at January 20, 2008 3:03 PM
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