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Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article3090860.ece
Placing Blame for Palestinian Hardship
[Times-UK] Andre Oboler - A Times story on Dec. 17 referred to reports from Oxfam and the World Bank to support the claim that Israeli restrictions on Gaza are the primary impediment to improving conditions. Yet the difference between the Oxfam press release and the details of the World Bank report are startling. The World Bank stated that "any effort at economic recovery and development must address the impacts of the current closure regime and the aftermath of the illegal takeover of Gaza" by Hamas; and that Israel, the PA and donors are working to "shield the Strip's 1.4 million people from the impacts of the current political stalemate." In contrast, Oxfam ignores the role of Hamas. Oxfam also claims that work on the Beit Lahia sewage lake has "stalled...putting thousands of Palestinians at risk," but the World Bank reported just three days later that "as a result of coordination with Israel...the work is expected to be completed by March." For NGOs to play a full part in the debate, they must do their research and properly consider the context. The writer is a Legacy Heritage Fellow at NGO Monitor in Jerusalem.