“The economic blockade Israel is imposing on the Palestinian Authority is not very wise and is liable to cause an escalation,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem Middle East Institute Professor Moshe Maoz told “Globes”.
According to official reports, the security-political cabinet decided last night to impose an almost total economic blockade on the Gaza Strip. Among other steps, the transfer of goods and raw material, including fuel, to Palestinian Authority (PA) territory is forbidden. The Palestinians will not receive goods through Israeli ports, nor will they be permitted to export goods from PA territory. However, the transfer of food, medicines and medical equipment to PA territory will be allowed.
Maoz said that the economic blockade will further damage the PA’s already tottering economic infrastructure. “Anyone who earns a living from trade, industry and imports, as well as 150,000 wage-earners will be severely affected. The blockade could cause at least partial paralysis of the Palestinian economy and livelihood,” he said.
Security sources claimed that the blockade will mainly affect PA senior officials and the various services they control. The staff of the security units, for example, earn their living by “taking their cut” from import and export deals in the PA.
However, Maoz believes that PA senior officials will be the last one harmed. “They will always manage because they have reserves and have already sent their own children abroad,” he said.
Regarding the political consequences of a blockade, Maoz said that the decision was very unwise. “A large part of the Palestinian population will grow desperate and will have nothing to lose. Peace between us and them is based on economic interests, and if these are destroyed, the Palestinians will have nothing to lose and will respond with violence. Unquestionably, this is an undesirable step that will do more harm than good.”
Maoz also claimed that the economic pressure Israel is seeking to impose on the PA is more a political than economic issue. “Our leadership is operating under the domestic pressure of the Israeli public, and it appears that the decision was taken to demonstrate strength and vengeance in order to calm the public.”
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 21 November 2000