“No coordination is taking place between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) regarding the economic consequences of the plan to disengage from the Gaza Strip,” PA Minister of Economy and Trade Maher al-Masri told “Globes”.
Al-Masri added, “The is no economic dialogue between the two sides on the matter. We have been learning about the plan from the press.” Nevertheless, senior Palestinian economic sources have begun forming a plan that takes into account the effect of the withdrawal on the Gazan economy.
The PA Ministry of Economy and Trade has formulated two scenarios regarding disengagement. Under the first one, which the Palestinians prefer, Israeli withdrawal will be total, and the international border with Egypt will be handed over to the Palestinians. The Almuntar/Karny and Erez crossings will become border crossings with Israel, and will continue to operate. At least the same number of Palestinian workers will continue entering Israel as at present, and Israel will not interfere in the movement of goods and people within the Gaza Strip.
The second scenario assumes that Israel’s withdrawal will be partial, with Israel retaining control over the international land, sea, and air transit points. Israel will continue to intervene in traffic within the Gaza Strip.
”These scenarios are completely different, with different economic results,” al-Masri said. “The second will lead to a worse economic situation than at present.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on April 28, 2004