Donald Macintyre: An assault on the peace process. Israel devastated the Strips production capacity

[DogPoundPup]

Monday, 26 January 2009

Israeli forces used aerial bombing, tank shelling and armoured bulldozers to eliminate the productive capacity of some of Gaza's most important manufacturing plants during their 22 days of military action in the Gaza Strip. The attacks – like those which destroyed at least 4,000 homes, left some residential areas resembling an earthquake zone and more than 50,000 people in temporary shelters at their peak – destroyed or severely damaged 219 factories, Palestinian industrialists say.

Leaders of Gaza's business community – who have long stayed aloof from the different Palestinian political factions – say that much of the 3 per cent of industry still operating after the 18-month shutdown caused by Israel's economic siege has now been destroyed.

Chris Gunness, chief spokesman for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said that widespread destruction of "civilian economic infrastructure" was a strike "at the heart of the peace process" because "economic stability is an essential component of a durable peace."

snip~
The destroyed factories include: Alweyda, the biggest Palestinian food-processing plant and the only one still operating in Gaza until the war; Abu Eida, the largest, and now flattened, ready-mixed concrete producer; and the 89-year-old Al Badr flour mills, which have the biggest storage facilities anywhere in the Strip. The owners of all three said yesterday they were proud of their close and long-standing contact with Israeli partner firms and suppliers. Dr Yaser Alweyda, owner and engineering director of the demolished food-processing plant, estimated the total damage to his plant at $22.5m and accused Israel of wanting "to destroy the weak Palestinian economy". He added: "They want to ensure that we will never have a state in Palestine."

read more...http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/donald-macintyre-an-assault-on-the-peace-process-1515732.html

[Idealism]

1. What little farms the Strip have left are without adequate irrigation, as well

Making it ever more tough for the Palestinians to have a sovereign state. It seems Israel wants to make any future Palestinian state a protectorate of theirs, without self-sustainability.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Gaza can never be a self sufficient. Just not possible

If you figure in the west bank it gets better but still will not reach the tipping point

[Idealism]

3. The West Bank can be selfsufficient

If the Israeli's would stop directing the Western Aquifer to the illegal settlements. The settlements are plenty green, yet the Palestinian land leave something to be desired, as you know

[azurnoir]

4. Not as long as israel continues the blockade

however if Gaza's air and water ways were open there is a chance especially if the NG deposits are developed

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Not even close. NG deposits are exportable but do not make you self sufficient

Given its population density, there is no way Gaza can ever grow enough food etc.