FRIENDS OF PALESTINE SOCIETY

The truth about Gaza

The Gaza Strip-360 km sq. Coastal strip of land

-41 km long / 6-12 km wide

-5 districts / 8 UNRWA refugee camps

- Total population almost 1.5 million people

Occupation by Israel

- Eventually Occupied by Israeli in 1967

-Captured initially in 1956 but forced to withdraw

Consequences- Economic

-Deliberate de-development-Gaza workers as a majority worked in Israel-Industries: Construction-Active Impediment of local economic development

-Gaza reduced to a pool of cheap labour for Israel, and captive market for its goods.

Consequences - Settlements-Initially unattractive to the government-Focus on West Bank

-First paramilitary settlement created in 1970 (Kfar Dhharom).-Settlements expanded to create facts on the ground.

-By 2005:-8000 Jewish settlers/1.4 million Palestinians-Land controlled by settler: 25%-Arable land by settlers: 40%-Water allocation per person: <settlers

1st Intifada and the founding of Hamas-Situation for Palestinians becomes much worse-1987-1992 first Intifada takes place

-Hamas founded in Gaza in 1987-First suicide bombings in 1994

-Initial ‘Security fence’ around Gaza in 1995

-Poverty Increases dramatically

Al-Aqsa Intifada 2000-2005

-2nd Intifada starts in 2000 -Violence escalates

-‘Buffer corridor’ in Rafah in the Gaza strip creates thousands of homeless.

-Cease Fire and lull in the fighting agreed in 2005.

Disengagement 2005-Disengagement plan articulated by Ariel Sharon in 2004.

-Aim was to redirect capital and military to West Bank-Incorporate West Bank settlements into Israel

-Ariel Sharon: ‘At the same time, in the framework of the ‘Disengagement Plan’,Israel will strengthen its control over those same areas in the Land of Israel which will constitute aninseparable part of the State of Israel in any future agreement’

-Dov Weissgias: ‘Arik [Sharon] doesn’t see Gaza today as an area of national interest. He does see Judea andSamaria as an area of national interest… The significance of the disengagement plan is the freezingof the peace process. And when you freeze that process, you prevent the establishment of aPalestinian state, and you prevent a discussion on the refugees, the borders and Jerusalem.’

Did ‘Israel end the occupation of Gaza?’

Israel controlled:-the air and sea space-movement to and from Gaza-the population registry-use of sea resources-family unification-the crossing of goods and humanitarian aid-fuel, electricity, and gas supplies-Crossings for workers

-Israel is still an occupying power under international law

Palestinian Elections and Hamas-Hamas wins in Gaza in 2004-2005 municipal elections/ loses overall-Wins the 2006 Parliamentary Elections-‘Lull’ in fighting and ceasefire still in effect

-Israel: -closes Erez crossing, -withholds customs taxes payments -pressures international donors to stop payment to PA

-Hamas under pressure of government moderates politics

-Hostilities renew after June 8 assassination of Jamal Abu Samhadana/beach explosion near Beit Lahia

Inter-Palestinian Fighting and Hamas victory in Gaza

-November 2006: Cease fire with Israel agreed-Fatah-Hamas relations disentegrate

Reasons: -Extreme poverty and economic desolation -Political power play -US policy by Elliot Abrams

Carnegie Endowment for Peace concurred: “is difficult toargue with the conclusion that the United States effectively aided the slide toward civil war.

-Compromise achieved on 16th March-Israel immediately rejects new government

-June 2007, after coordinated assault, Hamas takes control of Gaza.