US Still Ignoring Gaza Disaster

One would not guess, judging from yesterday's press conference, that Gaza lies in ruins with the Israelis continuing to block the delivery of essentials.  For instance, during the war, windows in virtually all the schools in Gaza were blown out. But international relief organizations cannot even get plastic sheeting past the blockade.

USAID, which is the lead American agency working with the NGOs to supply relief, is so intimidated by Israel's watchdogs in Congress that it won't simply approve delivery of the sheeting.

In fact, USAID has to deal with a Congress that enforces the blockade as tightly as the Israelis do. Every single USAID request to provide assistance must go to Congress first which follows Israel's strict guidelines banning pretty much everything that can ease conditions for Gaza's civilians. 

It is so bad that USAID fears to put in a request, knowing that all they will do is make their work in Gaza even more difficult.

How bad is it?  Check this out.  Relieving this humanitarian disaster should be the President's FIRST Middle East priority, not simply lumped in with the two-state solution and Iran.

We can relieve this suffering now and we should. Our silence is unconscionable.