NOVANEWS
This week the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the “beginning of the export –
season” in the Gaza Strip. “The export season” entails the continuation of a short-
term program, sponsored – from planting through to distribution –
by the Dutch government. The program allows a few farmers in Gaza to sell
strawberries and flowers in European markets. So far this week, 7 trucks have
left the Strip.
As has been the case in every year since June 2007, the export of flowers and straw-
berries is the exception that proves the rule. While in 2005 Palestinian residents of
Gaza exported approximately 70 truckloads per day to Israel, the West Bank and
to permit the transfer of 400 outbound trucks daily from Gaza, since June 2007,
only 262 trucks have left Gaza – a daily average of one-third of a truck.
The overall export is summed up in the following table:
Trucks leaving Gaza on average per day, June 14, 2007 – Dec. 1, 2010
This year, the Ministry of Defense promised an increase in the levels of export:
up to 10 trucks a day of strawberries and flowers during the winter, and for the
first time since 2007, within the framework of the Dutch project, Israel is cons-
idering permitting export of cherry tomatoes and red peppers. The general ban
on export – of furniture, clothes, and other agricultural produce – remains in
place.
It is therefore not surprising that two-thirds of the factories in Gaza are not ope-
rating or operate at minimal capacity, and unemployment in the Strip hovers at
around. 40%.
The continuation of the general ban on export raises questions regarding the
sincerity of Israel’s announcement that restrictions on goods entering and leaving
Gaza will be limited to those necessary to address security concerns. If Israel can
check trucks loaded with strawberries and flowers, why can’t it check the goods
produced by factory workers in Gaza, as it did until June 2007?
Another restriction, which has a less than clear relationship to security, is the
refusal by the Ministry of Defense to allow Gaza residents to sell their products
in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan, as they did until 2007.
If flowers enter Israel on their way to Europe, why does Israel refuse to allow
them to continue to the West Bank or Jordan or to flower shops in Israel?
The land crossings with Israel are the only way out for goods, because of Israel’s
ban on movement via Gaza’s airspace and territorial waters.
Photos: Mohammed Azaiza
Perhaps the Defense Ministry has started to implement the plan announced
by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman: to close the crossings between Israel
and the Gaza Strip hermetically, thereby blocking all access between Gaza and
the West Bank. Instead of being sold to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan
(the main markets for Gaza’s agricultural produce until 2007), Gaza’s strawberries
and flowers have to make the long and expensive journey to Holland which leaves
farmers with little profit.
Recently, Lieberman announced that “we will of course be happy, if we find
buyers that are interested in purchasing from Gaza” and “we are willing to
cooperate with anyone who is interested in investing money, and creating
a market for Gaza’s products” (clickhere for the statement in Hebrew).
Well, Minister Lieberman, the markets are waiting, and you don’t have to
invest money, just open the crossings!
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