Demonstrators Disagree With Obama's Israel Stance
WCBS-TV
June 10, 2010
NEW YORK (CBS) - President Barack Obama stepped up pressure on Israel Wednesday to modify its blockade of Gaza, calling the situation "unsustainable."
Demonstrators at a rally supporting the country's blockage were none too happy with the Commander-in-Chief's latest push.
"I'm a little upset. Gaza should learn to stand on its own two feet without firing rockets at people. Let them build schools and not bombs. They won't need foreign aid," said Upper West Side resident Robert Kabokoff.
"I don't think Obama should interfere with sending anything to Gaza," added Upper West Sider Ayala Sharon.
The demonstrators were furious at President Obama's decision to announce a new $400 million foreign aid package for Gaza during a White House meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The President also demanded a "different framework" to Israel's blockage of Gaza in the wake of a deadly raid on an international aid flotilla.
"It seems to us that there should be ways of focusing narrowly on arms shipments rather than focusing in blanket way on stopping everything," he said.
The President's actions angered some in Congress.
"The President's actions today send a message to the international community that the United States is backing away from Israel, that the United State is giving support to the Palestinians at a time when it's Israel that's under siege. This is exactly the wrong message," said Rep. Peter King (L-N.Y.). "It's just another smack at the Israelis."
Said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.): "I fully support the blockade," he said. "But I think Israel, Americans, and others would agree that if there could be some alternative solution that would be a good idea. But you're not going to do any kind of alternative solution, neither the U.S. or Israel, that will jeopardize Israeli's security."
Meanwhile, in an attempt to temper the international uproar over the raid, Israel on Wednesday lifted a ban on some food items going to Gaza. Its diplomats said they, too, are concerned about the plight of the people in Gaza.
"We would like to try to do everything we can to allow humanitarian aid and any supplies that are needed for the people in Gaza to go in provided we can inspect it, to be sure the Hamas terrorist organization is not trying to smuggle in weapons," said Benjamin Krasna, Deputy Consul General of Israel.
The new American aid for Gaza is to include additional assistance for housing, school construction, and business development. The Israelis clearly will want to make sure the cement sent for new construction isn't diverted by terrorists to build tunnels for weapons smuggling.
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