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Blair Hails Israeli Plan to Ease Gaza Blockade
(Ha'aretz) Barak Ravid and Jonathan Lis - Tony Blair, the Quartet's envoy to the Middle East, hailed Tuesday the Israeli cabinet's expected approval on Wednesday of a plan to allow more aid into Gaza. The plan, formulated jointly by Blair and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes the formulation of a blacklist of goods that will not be allowed into Gaza, particularly items that could be put to use in manufacturing weapons; the entry of building materials for UN-sponsored construction projects; and Israel's agreement to consider stationing EU as well as PA monitors at border crossings to inspect incoming goods. "It will allow us to keep weapons and weapon materials out of Gaza, but on the other hand to help the Palestinian population there," Blair said. "The policy in Gaza should be to isolate the extremists but to help the people." Now, after the easing of the blockade and the change in policy, "we will have to redouble our efforts to release [kidnapped soldier] Gilad Shalit," he added. Blair has met with the prime minister three times over the past ten days, in addition to numerous telephone conversations, to discuss easing the civilian blockade of Gaza while meeting Israeli security concerns.