IMAGINE WHAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD DO...:

Gazans are eager to rebuild: But political stances keep needed supplies from crossing borders (KARIN LAUB3/08/09, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Money isn't the problem right now for the 32 members of the Yassin clan who lost their four homes during Israel's war on Gaza. The family rented apartments and filled them with basics, using some of its $35,000 in emergency aid from Hamas and the United Nations.

And judging by $5.2 billion pledged at last week's international conference on aid for Gaza, the world is eager to help.

But no one, from aid groups to governments, has offered an answer to the Yassins' most pressing question: When can they, and tens of thousands of others, begin rebuilding?

Not until Israel and Egypt allow in huge amounts of cement, steel and other building supplies -- lifting the border blockade they imposed in response to Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza in June 2007.

This could take weeks or months and perhaps not happen at all.

...to as country that engaged in such economic warfare on us?

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 8, 2009 7:56 AM