<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Palestinian businessmen slam intended closure of Al-Mintar&nbsp;crossing]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<table width="100%" align="center">
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<td><span class="PublishedDate">[ 					12/01/2011 &#8211; 01:52 PM ] </span></td>
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<p><img src="https://i2.wp.com/www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/DataFiles%5CCache%5CTempImgs%5C2011%5C1%5Cimages_News_2011_01_12_crossing-0_300_0.jpg" alt="" /></div>
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<p style="font-size:10pt;">GAZA, (PIC)&#8211; The independent  coalition of Palestinian businessmen and economists stated that Israel&#8217;s  decision to close Al-Mintar commercial crossing and retain Karam Abu  Salem terminal as the only passage between the besieged Gaza Strip and  the occupied territories is part of the economic strangulation policy  pursued by Israel against Gaza.</p>
<p style="font-size:10pt;">A spokesman for the coalition said that  the operational capacity of Karam Abu Salem terminal cannot meet the  needs of Gaza population fully, pointing out that this crossing was  primarily established for the entry of humanitarian aid and goods  imported from Egypt.</p>
<p style="font-size:10pt;">The spokesman also explained that the  independence on Karam Abu Salem terminal for the movement of goods and  aid would cause traffic jams on Salahuddin road and jeopardize the lives  of civilians.</p>
<p style="font-size:10pt;">He added that Al-Mintar crossing was  established by some donor countries and it is prepared for the process  of import and export and its closure would lead to the shutdown of many  factories in the industrial area.</p>
<p style="font-size:10pt;">For its part, the popular committee  against the siege warned in a press release on Tuesday that Karam Abu  Salem border crossing is not prepared to meet the vital needs of Gaza  population after the closure of Al-Mintar crossing.</p>
<p style="font-size:10pt;">The committee emphasized that the Israeli  occupation is trying anew to tighten the blockade further on Gaza people  rather than lifting it completely.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7GRHIb0JQAI021wV%2f4DH%2bmpHyhiQyAf9LEwbXusPG4bk%2fzFwAC2hcdDWgMzatc456qamFROawdDM6b80gXSlkpBSqEBK5a4nGziO3EfpkbbE%3d">Palestinian businessmen slam intended closure of Al-Mintar crossing</a>.</p>
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