The Economist published a chart (reproduced here) which shows some of the items allowed and prohibited by Israel’s blockade of Gaza. It looks very odd. Some of the items on the list make sense if you want to keep the Palestinians from working the land (seeds, nuts), although I don’t see what you’re gonna give (allowed) animal feed to if you can’t import the animals (donkeys, cattle). So anything that would allow the residents of Gaza to be self-sufficient is out. Gotcha.

But why musical instruments? Are the Israelis worried about potential bugle calls ahead of massed Palestinian charges à la Pickett?