The “Siege” of Gaza January 2008 On January 20, 2008, Israel reduced the flow of fuel into Gaza in response to unrelenting rocket attacks on civilian population centers. The Hamas-led authorities in Gaza responded by shutting down Gaza’s only power generator, which supplies about 20% of Gaza’s electricity. (The 75% or so provided by Israel and 5% from Egypt were unaffected. Israel did not cut the power.) Then, they staged demonstrations and called in the foreign press to help protest the Israeli ‘siege’ of Gaza and the resulting ‘humanitarian crisis.’ Here is what some of the cameras picked up. For background, see http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2008/Supply+of+electricity+to+Gaza+continues+20-Jan-2008.htm

Gaza parliament meeting in candlelight. Note the sunlight behind closed shades. Photo credit: Reuters Original caption: Palestinian lawmakers attend a parliament session in candlelight during a power cut in Gaza January 22, 2008

Demonstration: “Stop Israeli War Crimes” sign Note neon lights in background

More demonstrators with candles—and a lit street light behind them.

Another view of the lit street

Candles on one side of the street, lit apartments on the other.

Cute kids with candles. And neon lights in the top left corner.

Heartbreaking: A newborn in an incubator Heartbreaking: A newborn in an incubator. What happens to this tiny baby when the power is cut?

Never mind. The monitor clearly shows that there was no problem with the power. Except for the power of the image to gain sympathy for the plight of the poor Palestinians in the face of Israeli ‘aggression’ and ‘oppression.’

Caption: “Rockets stopped by Israel” Source: http://mahjoob.com/en/archives/view.php?cartoonid=2319