VOA常速英语2007-UN Official: Israeli Economic Blockade of Gaza N

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
25 October 2007

A senior United Nations official says Israel's economic blockade of the Gaza Strip does not bode¹ well for U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace talks expected later this year.  He appeals to Israel to lift restrictions² on humanitarian³ supplies entering the Palestinian Territory.  Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator⁴, John Holmes, says the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening as restrictions on the entry of essential supplies tighten⁵.  In July, he says Israel allowed more than 3,000 trucks loaded with basic supplies to cross into Gaza.  In September, only half that number got through.

Israel has declared Gaza an "enemy entity," and tightened⁶ restrictions on the territory since its seizure⁷ by the Islamic militant⁸ group Hamas, which has launched repeated attacks on Israel and refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist.  Israel and many western nations consider Hamas a terrorist group.

The U.N. emergency relief coordinator says as a result of the Israeli restrictions on Gaza food prices are rising, some items are in short supply and much of industry is closing down for lack of materials.  In August, Holmes notes 70,000 workers were laid off in the manufacturing and construction sectors⁹.

He says Gaza is running out of essential drugs.  In July, he says about 40 emergency patients each day were allowed to leave the territory for medical treatment in Israel.  In September, this number was reduced to less than five patients a day and medical supplies are running low.

"People are not dying of hunger at this moment," Holmes said. "But, in terms of medical supplies, medical access, there certainly are people who are suffering, possibly dying…because of lack of drugs, because of lack of access outside Gaza to essential treatment, which do not exist inside Gaza.  But, in terms of a famine, no we are not there.  But, in terms of a serious humanitarian crisis - yes, we are there already."

Holmes says the situation is different, but also difficult in the West Bank.  He says people there are suffering from serious restrictions on their freedom of movement and this is having an adverse¹⁰ impact on their social and economic wellbeing.

He says it is difficult to reconcile the hardships experienced by people in Gaza and the West Bank with talk of political progress that is preceding the planned peace negotiations¹¹ in the U.S. city of Annapolis.

"One of the objectives of those discussions is to show that there is progress on the ground," Holmes said. "If we look at the situation inside Gaza, but even inside the West Bank, it does not look as if that position is getting better.  It looks as if it is getting worse with all the dangers that entails¹² of creating an isolated¹³ and radicalized population." 

Holmes says it is hard to see how this situation can be conducive¹⁴ to peace.  He urges Israel to lift the economic blockade against Gaza and to let humanitarian supplies flow into the territory.

He says he understands and sympathizes with Israel's desire to prevent terrorist rocket attacks from Gaza.  He says this is a legitimate¹⁵ demand.  But, he says collective punishment is neither the right nor the most effective response to those attacks. 

1 bode   

v.预示

参考例句：

• These figures do not bode well for the company's future.这些数字显示出公司的前景不妙。
• His careful habits bode well for his future.他那认真的习惯预示著他会有好的前途。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

4 coordinator   

n.协调人

参考例句：

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。
• How am I supposed to find the client-relations coordinator? 我怎么才能找到客户关系协调员的办公室？

5 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

6 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。

7 seizure   

n.没收；占有；抵押

参考例句：

• The seizure of contraband is made by customs.那些走私品是被海关没收的。
• The courts ordered the seizure of all her property.法院下令查封她所有的财产。

8 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

9 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 adverse   

adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的

参考例句：

• He is adverse to going abroad.他反对出国。
• The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions.用药不当会产生严重的不良反应。

11 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

12 entails   

使…成为必要( entail的第三人称单数 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需

参考例句：

• The job entails a lot of hard work. 这工作需要十分艰苦的努力。
• This job entails a lot of hard work. 这项工作需要十分努力。

13 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

14 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

15 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。