No more Israelis in Gaza for Ramadan... but no work either
Gaza (AsiaNews) For the majority of Palestinians living in Gaza those born after 1967 today marks the start of their first Ramadan free of military occupation. Virtually all of them will live this month of prayer and fasting with the desire that violence and bombardments will finally end, that the only explosion heard will be the cannon blast which traditionally announces that the hours of fasting are up.
The administration is busy searching for a new small canon for this purpose, according to the Internal Affairs Ministry spokesman, Tawfiq Abou Khoussa, given that the old bronze model has been out of use for some years now. However, Ramadan will be overshadowed by an economic crisis probably aggravated by the "victory" over the Israelis.
The days of the withdrawal of the army marked by the Star of David were "exciting". There were not enough cars and taxis in the city to ferry across the border all the crowds of people who had never been able to cross before, except with great difficulties. In the wake of "victory" and "liberation" after five years of Intifada, people could finally return to Gaza, families could reunite.
However, most economic activities and potential left when the Israeli colonies did. The withdrawal has left widespread unemployment, and it is not only unskilled workers who have been affected. According to the Palestinian Central Statistics Office, the highest rate of unemployment of all Palestinians is found among graduates in Gaza, at 47.5%.
The Palestinian Authority and some international organisations have pledged to create work programmes. At the moment temporary, poorly paid jobs are available, merely 'painkillers' to soothe the needs of the people. This state of affairs strengthens Hamas, which provides food, health and education services to many people through its charity networks like the Al Salah Association.
Yesterday's incursion of around 20 Palestinian police officers in the Parliament of Gaza underscored the precariousness and uncertainty of the situation. The police were protesting against work conditions and government apathy with regard to Hamas. They interrupted the Assembly deliberations just as the Gaza deputies were discussing the emergency security situation, linked up via videophone with their colleagues in Ramallah, Cisjordan, at the Parliament's institutional headquarters, where a similar protest was under way.
The protest was sparked after Hamas militants attacked the local police station with guns and grenades on Sunday: the department head, Ali Makawi, and two civilians were killed. A spokesman for the officers said: "We ask the Palestinian Authority to take measures against Hamas. Our blood is being shed for the PNA, but they are not doing anything."
The PNA gives 200 dollars a month to unemployed people in serious difficulties. However, what people expect more than anything, are new economic initiatives. The Planning Ministry has promised urban development and economic progress. These pledges may be realized by the Gaza Seaport project, now set to take in the Netzarim area to use for depots and warehouses; the project could offer 30,000 jobs. But it requires Israeli approval and so it exists only on paper. The same applies to the reconstruction of the Gaza international airport. In fact, the hope of the population lies almost exclusively in international aid and intervention.
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