International boycott, Israeli blockade on Gaza caused situation in Strip to reach 40-years' low, report compiled by human rights groups claims, citing growing unemployment, rising food prices and limited fuel and electricity supply 8 March 2008
6 March 08 [Ynetnews.com] – The situation in the Gaza Strip is worse now than it has been since Israel has occupied the West Bank in 1967, a report by Amnesty International and other human rights groups revealed Thursday.
The report paints a very grim picture of the situation in Gaza in recent years, and particularly since Israel has imposed strict restrictions on the movement of goods and people in response to Hamas' takeover of Gaza in June 2007.
According to the report, the economic isolation of the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza has worsened unemployment and poverty and caused education and health services to deteriorate. Over a million people – 80% of the families - in the Strip are currently dependent on food supply from international aid agencies, compared to 63% of the families in 2006.
Additionally, the number of trucks allowed to enter Gaza daily currently stands at only 45, compared to an average of 250 in the past. The Israeli ban on the transfer of raw materials has led to the freezing of 95% of industrial projects.
As a result, almost all the factories in the Strip have gone bankrupt and forced to close.
Hamas' takeover of the Strip has also had a devastating effect on the local economy. Between June and September 2007, the rate of Palestinians earning less than $1.2 a day rose from 55% to 70%.
The unemployment rate in Gaza currently stands at 40% and experts believe it might soon reach 50%. In the last year alone, some 75,000 people have lost their jobs.
Hike in food prices
The closure on the Strip and the collapse of the local economy have also contributed to a sharp increase in food prices. In 2007, Gazans spent 62% of their income on food supplies, compared to only 37% in 2004. The prices of flour and milk climbed 34% and 30% respectively between May and July 2007. Rice prices jumped by 20% over the same period.
As a result of the limited fuel and electricity supply, hospitals in Gaza face long power cuts, which last up to 12 hours a day. The report states that 18.5% of Palestinians who applied for medical treatment outside the Strip were rejected in 2007 and that the number of Palestinians who were approved treatment outside Gaza dropped by 25%.
Twenty people awaiting an entry permit to Israel to receive medical treatment have died between October-December 2007, including five children.
'Exert greater pressure on Israel'
The report's authors call on the UK government and the European Union to exert pressure on the Israeli government to lift the blockade on Gaza and refrain from limiting fuel and electricity supply to the Strip.
The groups also urge the UK and EU to help mediate a truce between the Palestinian factions, in order to facilitate talks between Israel and the PA.
The report further calls on the Palestinian terror groups to cease rocket attacks and refrain from targeting civilians, and urges Israel to stop strikes in Gaza.
Photo1: Strip under fire [AFP]
Photo2: Empty shop in Gaza [Reuters]
Photo3: Hospital in Gaza. Prolonged power outages [AFP]
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Stop Choosing Sides
By Rep. Ron Paul – 7 March 2008
On Wednesday, March 5, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution (HR 951) condemning Palestinian rocket attacks that include a strident defense of recent Israeli tactics in the Gaza Strip. The resolution also condemned Iran and Syria for "sponsoring terror attacks," and demanded that Saudi Arabia publicly condemn Palestinian actions.
The resolution was originally introduced in January, but contains new language including a passage saying that that "those responsible for launching rocket attacks against Israel routinely embed their production facilities and launch sites amongst the Palestinian civilian population, utilizing them as human shields" and "the inadvertent inflicting of civilian casualties as a result of defensive military operations aimed at military targets, while deeply regrettable, is not at all morally equivalent to the deliberate targeting of civilian populations as practiced by Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups."
Although 23 Congressman abstained or voted "present," only one bravely voted no: Rep. Ron Paul.
Below is Rep. Paul's statement he gave to the House before the vote.
Mr. Speaker: I rise in opposition to H. Res. 951, a resolution to condemn Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. As one who is consistently against war and violence, I obviously do not support the firing of rockets indiscriminately into civilian populations. I believe it is appalling that Palestinians are firing rockets that harm innocent Israelis, just as I believe it is appalling that Israel fires missiles into Palestinian areas where children and other non-combatants are killed and injured.
Unfortunately, legislation such as this is more likely to perpetuate violence in the Middle East than contribute to its abatement. It is our continued involvement and intervention – particularly when it appears to be one-sided – that reduces the incentive for opposing sides to reach a lasting peace agreement.
Additionally, this bill will continue the march toward war with Iran and Syria, as it contains provocative language targeting these countries. The legislation oversimplifies the Israel/Palestine conflict and the larger unrest in the Middle East by simply pointing the finger at Iran and Syria. This is another piece in a steady series of legislation passed in the House that intensifies enmity between the United States and Iran and Syria. My colleagues will recall that we saw a similar steady stream of provocative legislation against Iraq in the years before the US attack on that country.
I strongly believe that we must cease making proclamations involving conflicts that have nothing to do with the United States. We incur the wrath of those who feel slighted while doing very little to slow or stop the violence.
