Minister of Transportation (Likud) Yisrael Katz during Sunday morning’s weekly cabinet meeting called on Israel to cut ties with Gaza, to halt undertaking responsibility for the regular infusion of humanitarian aid.

Following the Gaza flotilla incident, Katz feels the humanitarian aid must come via the Rafiach border between Gaza and Egypt, with international observers overseeing the operation.

Opposing Katz was Minister of Welfare & Social Services (Labor) Yitzchak Herzog, who is calling upon the cabinet to approve lifting the Gaza embargo towards improving conditions for Gazans, a move that he feels will deliver a blow to the authority of the Hamas regime while improving Israel’s position in the international diplomatic community.

Officials of the Free Shalit campaign are urging the government not to lift the embargo for as long as Gilad remains captive.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)