OQR Assesses the Situation in Gaza
Friday, Apr 19, 2013 in Office of the Quartet Representative
Restrictions on movement and access between Israel and the Gaza Strip have been tightened in the last month. An OQR team, led by Head of Mission Dr. Firas Raad, visited Gaza last week to meet with private sector and civil society representatives to discuss the impact of these restrictions on the Gazan economy.
Businesses & Livelihoods Constrained
Since September 2007, a closure policy has been in place on Gaza, including restrictions on imports, severe restrictions on outward trade, and the intermittent closure of the commercial goods crossing. Fluctuating hostile actions between Israel and the de facto government in Gaza have led to a static economic situation. Despite an increase in the number of goods permitted to enter Gaza in 2010, and the Israeli Government decision to allow Gazan exports to all markets except the West Bank and Israel in February 2011, restrictions continue to hamper basic service provision to the people of Gaza, and to prevent necessary levels of economic development and private sector-led growth.
In Gaza last week the OQR team discussed the current, unsustainable situation with private sector representatives engaged in a range of industries including manufacture of metals, plastics, furniture, and garments, as well as in agriculture and services . All of the interlocutors listed the same essential needs:
- Ability to import and export all legitimate items
- Increased access at Kerem Shalom crossing through streamlined procedures
- Access to markets in the West Bank and Israel
- Full movement and access for business people and potential investors
Without significant steps to open up the Gaza Strip in this way, the private sector will continue to decline and the resulting bleak economic picture will severely impact development and employment prospects, and thus broader stability in Gaza.
Tackling the Problem
The opening up and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip is a key priority for OQR, and indeed for local stakeholders and the international community. OQR’s expert advisers on movement and access, infrastructure and private sector development are working to:
- Identify and seek to change the full range of restrictions that inhibit growth, collecting data and information and providing analysis;
- Advocate for increased numbers of materials, machinery and equipment that can enter Gaza, including revision of the list of materials considered to have a ‘dual-use’ purpose;
- Liaise between private and public stakeholders to facilitate progress on much needed infrastructure projects for basic water, sanitation and energy needs including the North Gaza Emergency Sanitation Treatment plant, the Khan Younis waste-water treatment facility and Gaza Power Plant; and
- Actively support progress for the development of the strategically important Gaza Marine gas field project.
Document Sources: Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR), Quartet
Subject: Access and movement, Closures/Curfews/Blockades, Economic issues, Gaza Strip, Living conditions
Publication Date: 19/04/2013