UNWRA called Egypt and the Arab League to exert pressure on Israel

CAIRO - The General Commissioner of UNRWA, Filippo Grandi, called on Monday on Egypt and the Arab League to continue to exert pressure on Israel to permit entry to Ghaza of materials needed for reconstruction.

•    "I am in Cairo to discuss the situation in Ghaza and called for the Egyptian government and Arab League to continue that pressure on Israel so that at least limits the free passage of people and equipment to construction be lifted, "said chief of the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees.
  
     Israel imposed a blockade on the Ghaza Strip since the takeover of the enclave by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in June 2007.
  
     Affirming that the materials for reconstruction can be used by Hamas for the manufacture of missiles, Israel refuses the passage to Ghaza of materials to rebuild buildings destroyed in its military offensive in December 2008 and January 2009.
  
     "We respect the security concerns of Israel, these are legitimate concerns, but we gave very specific assurances that the material we receive will only be used for our reconstruction projects," said Grandi.
  
     "We have strict security procedures and we are very strict regarding the use of the resources we receive for our projects," he added.
  
     Grandi, who was recently appointed to his post on January 20 after being deputy commissioner of UNRWA, met on Sunday Foreign Minister Aboul gheit of Egypt and Secretary General of Arab League Amr Moussa.
  
     "The reason I came quickly to Cairo to meet with Mr. Aboul Gheit is that Egypt is the chairman of the Advisory Commission of UNRWA", a committee that includes 23 countries and is responsible for consulting and supporting the work of the agency, he said.
  
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.