Israel’s blockade of Gaza, Mideast peace on agenda for Obama-Abbas meeting at White House
By Darlene Superville, APWednesday, June 9, 2010
Israel’s blockade of Gaza on Obama-Abbas agenda
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD’ ah-BAHS’) are set to discuss Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the humanitarian and economic hardship facing the people there.
Wednesday’s meeting at the White House comes a little more than a week after Israeli commandos killed nine people during a raid on a flotilla of activists hoping to break the blockade. Israel says its military acted in self-defense, while activists say the deaths were unnecessary.
Turkey has led the world in condemning the raid and in calling for an international investigation.
Obama has not condemned Israel, a close U.S. ally. He expressed deep regret over the killings and said he wanted to learn all the facts leading up to the tragedy.
