Previously self-reliant sectors of society have fallen into poverty and debt

A report by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) due to be released this month illustrates how restrictions on trade and movement experienced over 2006 have led to the progressive fragmentation of the economy, dragging previously self-reliant sectors of society (farmers, workers, fishermen, traders and small shop owners) into poverty and debt.

Gaza relies almost entirely on imported food, thus any closure of the Karni commercial crossing has a direct impact on the availability and price of basic commodities. The stagnation of trade experienced in 2006 drastically affected employment and income opportunities throughout the Gaza Strip leading to a serious rise in poverty.

Agreed documents on movement and access from and to Gaza

dated 15 Nov 2005, the Agreement is still in vigor - the UK International Development Committee, representing British Members of Parliament (MPs), published on 31st January 2007, stresses the need for its implementation.

"To promote peaceful economic development and improve the humanitarian situation on the ground, the following agreement has been reached. It represents the commitments of the Government of Israel (GoI) and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Its implementation and further elaboration will be assisted by the Quartet Special Envoy for Disengagement and his staff and/or the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) and his staff.

1. Rafah
The parties have agreed to the attached statement of principles. Rafah will be opened as soon as it is ready to operate at an international standard in accordance with the specifications of this agreement and as soon as the 3rd party is on site, with a target date of November 25.

2. Crossing Points
The parties have agreed that:
The passages will operate continuously. On an urgent basis, Israel will permit the export of all agricultural products from Gaza during this 2005 harvest season.
The new and additional scanner will be installed and fully operational by December 31. At that time, the number of export trucks per day to be processed through Karni will reach 150, and 400 by end-2006. A common management system will be adopted by both parties.
In addition to the number of trucks above, Israel will permit export of agricultural produce from Gaza and will facilitate its speedy exit and onward movement so that quality and freshness can be maintained. Israel will ensure the continued opportunity to export.

To enhance operation, the parties agree that:
· When a new generation of x-ray equipment able to scan trailers as well as containers becomes available it will be used. Once it arrives in the country, testing will also be carried out with the assistance of the Quartet Special Envoy.
· The USSC will ensure continuing consultation, with unresolved implementation issues to be discussed as needed with the parties. The PA will ensure that the passages will be protected on the Palestinian side of the border and will train and upgrade the management of all crossings to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
· The PA will establish, without delay, a unified system of border management.
· The management system that has been developed for Karni should, with suitable local variations, be adapted to the passages at Erez and Kerem Shalom. Israel also undertakes to put in place similar arrangements as appropriate that will make West Bank passages fully operational as soon as possible. A bilateral committee, with participation as needed of the Quartet Special Envoy and/or the USSC, will develop operational procedures for those passages.

3. Link between Gaza and the West Bank
Israel will allow the passage of convoys to facilitate the movements of goods and persons.

Specifically:
· Establish bus convoys by December 15.
· Establish truck convoys by January 15.
· Work out detailed implementation arrangements in a bilateral committee of the GoI and PA with participation as needed from the Quartet team and the USSC.

It is understood that security is a prime and continuing concern for Israel and that appropriate arrangements to ensure security will be adopted.

4. Movement within the West Bank
Consistent with Israel's security needs, to facilitate movement of people and goods within the West Bank and to minimize disruption to Palestinian lives, the ongoing work between Israel and the U.S. to establish an agreed list of obstacles to movement and develop a plan to reduce them to the maximum extent possible will be accelerated so that the work can be completed by December 31.

5. Gaza Seaport
Construction of a seaport can commence. The GoI will undertake to assure donors that it will not interfere with operation of the port. The parties will establish a U.S.-led tripartite committee to develop security and other relevant arrangements for the port prior to its opening. The 3rd party model to be used at Rafah will provide the basis for this work.

6. Airport
The parties agree on the importance of the airport. Discussions will continue on the issues of security arrangements, construction, and operation."

UK International Development Committee on Development Assistance in the Opt

The International Development Committee, representing British Members of Parliament (MPs) from the three main parties (Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats), published on 31st January 2007
a report on Development Assistance and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

On fishing, the report quotes the Press Release of the World Food Programme - Gaza Economy on the Brink of Collapse - (dated 2 September 2006 - see posting below), which describes the present situation of fisheries in Gaza. The example of the Gaza greenhouse project and the unfulfilled potential this had, is described as an example of the fragility of the Palestinian economy under the current restrictions on movement and access.

The more news-worthy aspect of the report is the request to the European Union (EU) to ensure that Palestinian products are not being unfairly treated by Israel and the call for measures to be put in place to make the Association Agreement effective.

Most UK newspapers have discussed the report (FT, Guardian, Independent) as it advocates that the UK should urge the EU to use the Association Agreement with Israel as a lever for change and consider suspending the Agreement until there are further improvements in access arrangements.

As one of the first steps, the report highlights the need to implement the Agreement on Movement and Access signed in November 2005.

Although Parliamentary, the report does not necessarily affect British foreign policy directly. Still, it highlights the debates discussed at government level regarding the development assistance policy being implemented by the UK and other donors in the occupied Palestinian territory.

[Thanks to Claudia for analysis and information]

There is no more smell of fish

From the World Food Programme, Press Release, Gaza Economy on the Brink of Collapse, 2 September 2006:

"The Gazan economy is collapsing and there is no trust for the future, no investment and no hope...There is now a one-month stock of food in densely populated Gaza which relies on external food shipments through border checkpoints which have been periodically closed by Israel. Infrastructure is also crippled while industries which have formed the backbone of the territory's economy, mainly farming and fishing are in sharp decline. There is no more grain in the four major silos of the four major mills, and even if we are providing food to some of the needy in Gaza, that is 15-16% of the population, the trade has completely collapsed. Since June no fishing is allowed at all and in fact you come to the fishing port and there is no smell of fish. This puts out of work about 35,000 people who were living from the fishing industry." (bold letters mine)