Security Cabinet Decision
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

The Security Cabinet this morning (Wed.), December 8, 2010, approved additional measures to expedite increased exports from the Gaza Strip, thus assisting its economy and easing the burden of the Gazan population under the repressive Hamas terrorist regime.

The Security Cabinet was presented data regarding the expanding Gazan economy, including a recently released International Monetary Fund report which shows a 16% expansion and a decrease in unemployment in the first half of the year.  This trend is expected to continue in the second half as well.

Since the last Security Cabinet decision regarding Israel's policy towards Gaza, about six months ago, there has been a significant rise in the number of trucks entering Gaza daily via the Kerem Shalom crossing.  The crossing's capacity allows up to 250 trucks daily, yet this capacity is higher than the present demand.

The Security Cabinet was briefed that until now 78 projects by international organizations and nations, in health, infrastructure, housing and education, have been approved.  Israel will continue to expand the extent of these projects.

Parallel to these efforts to improve conditions of the Gaza Strip population, Israel calls upon the international community to continue the blockade on the Hamas regime and to implement the policy of the international Quartet, and hereby utilize all means to prevent the continued strengthening and armament of Hamas and other organizations with missiles and weapons aimed at and fired at Israel's civilian population.  This continued armament contravenes international law, harms the interests of the Gazan civilian population and will harm Israel's ability to continue to ease and improve the wellbeing of the people of Gaza.