Jerusalem- The Israeli Foreign Ministry unveiled Monday a "blacklist" of goods that are banned from entry into the Gaza Strip. In a sharp reversal of Israeli policy, all goods not on the new list will now be allowed passage through IDF controlled crossings in the western Negev. Following Hamas' assumption of power in Gaza in 2007, Israel banned the importation of all goods not on an approved list, though it continues to allow between 12-15,000 tons of aid to reach the strip on a weekly basis.

 

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Ministry Director General Yossi Gal explained the new policy, which he termed "a significant change in seeking to keep weapons and war materiel out of Gaza while liberalizing the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza."

 

The blacklist is one element of a four part Israeli policy based on a June 20^th security cabinet decision. According to the decision the flow of construction material for Palestinian Authority approved building projects under international supervision will be increased, Israel will attempt to collaborate with the PA in securing approval for such projects and the operations of the Gaza border crossings will be expanded to allow for a greater flow of goods into the strip.

 

According to Gal, there are two lists of items that are now banned from Gaza. One list includes "all those materials that are forbidden under all circumstances across Israeli frontiers, and these are the two categories of arms and munitions, and missile equipment." Also on this list are dual-use goods that Israel believes are "liable to be used alongside with their civilian purposes for either the development, production, installation or enhancement of military capabilities and terrorist capacities." This includes certain chemical compounds and fertilizers or any mixture containing chloric potassium with concentrations greater than 5%.

 

The Director General was careful to point out that much of the list of banned goods is derived from the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international agreement established for the purpose of "promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies." Israel is not a signatory to the arrangement.

 

Also listed are items that have been forbidden due to specific Israeli legislation and which are "liable to be used for terror attacks." Among the banned items are chemicals that can be used in the production of explosives, hunting knives, optical equipment, certain navigation aids, parachutes, gliders, non-motorized airborne vehicles and fireworks.

 

The second list comprises all the construction items and materials that are to be allowed entry into Gaza - only for Palestinian Authority-authorized projects implemented and monitored by the international community.

 

Israel feels that international monitoring is necessary to prevent Hamas from siphoning off construction materials for the construction of fortifications and bunkers, such as those used in combat against IDF servicemen during Israel's 2009 Cast Lead incursion.

 

Also speaking at the Foreign Ministry, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Major General Eitan Dangot said that Israel had increased the flow of traffic through the Kerem Shalom crossing, stating that the number of trucks passing daily had risen from an average of 80 to 130. He estimated that over 400 trucks will pass through Kerem Shalom daily by early 2011. The general also claimed that 45 new building projects will begin in Gaza in the coming months.

 

When questioned by reporters regarding an expansion of exports from Gaza, Dangot stated that security considerations must be taken into account, reminding reporters of previous attempts by Palestinian groups to utilize Israeli shipping for terror operations.

 

In a 2004 attack, two suicide bombers hidden in a secret compartment within a cargo truck from Gaza detonated themselves in the Port of Ashdod.

 

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum dismissed the Israeli security claims, saying that all Hamas wants is peace and justice. Barhoum alleged that Dangot lied about the 2004 attack in order to justify Israeli policies regarding Gaza. Ten Israeli citizens were killed in the Ashdod Port attack.

 

Basic foodstuff are absent in Gaza, Barhoum alleged.