Here's to you, Condaleezza Rice!

  US okays Israel declaring Gaza "a hostile entity"
By Laila El-Haddad, Palestinian blogger.

Firstly, a blessed and joyous Ramadan to everyone. I
only wish it was so joyous an occasion for my friends
and family in Gaza.

Today Israel officially announced Hamas a "hostile
entity" (although that sort of had me confused-is this
to say they were of "friendly entity" status
before??). And made the decision to cut fuel and
electricity, once again.

But fear not, country folk. U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice confirmed reassuringly that the U.S.
"would not abandon the innocent Palestinians".

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also said that Israel
will continue to supply Gaza's humanitarian needs,
just not "all the needs that are more than the
humanitarian".... except for fuel.

Oh, and electricity. So don't worry, people of Gaza, you won't starve (remember: you are on a diet). You will get to eat your (cold) Ramadan iftars,-only in the dark, and
of course no water to wash down that meal (or your
clothes, for that matter) since the pumps are driven
by electricity. And no gas to heat your food or houses
with come winter. And you'll have to consume what you
get quickly, since the refrigerators (both yours and
the supermarket's) won't work without power. And don't
even THINK about getting sick-prevention is your best
insurance policy now. Hospital ICUs will have to be
powered by generators. Kidney dialysis? Start writing
a will. Baby formula? Breastfeed. Vaccinations? Stay
home from school.

"Civilian levers" is what the Israeli cabinet has
mockingly decided to call these "measures" of
collective punishment. No doubt this sick euphemism
was the brain-child of the ever-reliable Dov
Weisglass, of "the Gaza diet" fame.

And remember, you are the "innocent Palestinians"
stuck in the middle of all of this.

Now how about some thank you notes to Condi? Its
Ramadan, after all, the month of mercy, forgiveness
and thanks."