"Israel must give Gaza hope for economic recovery"

Ali Hayek Photo: Abu Rami
Ali Hayek Photo: Abu Rami

Gaza business leader Ali Hayek and Hamas Deputy Economic Minister Hatem Owida guardedly welcome the idea of industrial zones on Israel's border.

"We want the Israeli government to wake up and give us hope for economic recovery in Gaza," says Ali Hayek head of the Gaza Businessman's Association and Deputy President of the Palestinian Federation of Industries. "Globes" spoke to Hayek following its interviews with Israeli businessman Shlomi Fogel and Palestinian businessman Nabil Bouab who called on Israeli businessmen to become partners in a venture to set up industrial zones for Palestinian workers along the Israel-Gaza border.

Hayek makes no attempt to hide or downplay the connections he has had with Israel in the past or his desire to renew them. He is an importer of building materials and claims that he was one of Ashdod port's largest customers before Hamas came to power in Gaza.

He said, "I was the only one permitted to enter Ashdod port in my private car. I has Israeli accountants and lawyers. I had an apartment in Israel and I even had an Israeli girl friend. So when I say we must live together, I know what I'm talking about."

Globes: And Israeli is not promoting economic cooperation with you?

"On the contrary, we bring in 3,000 tons of cement each day when we need 7,000-8,000 tons. We have no raw materials, wood or plastic."

For sure that's because of the security threat.

"My father died and they didn't let me bring in two bags of cement for the gravestone - that's a security threat? The biggest businessmen in Gaza must take their trousers down so they can be checked at the border checkpoint - are they a security threat? When I come to the border crossing sniffer dogs smell my bag. They don't let me leave Gaza with a bottle of perfume. What pains me is that people like me that want to work together have had their permits taken away. There are 200 people in Gaza that hold a VIP card - now they have taken them away. There are 1,600 merchants in Gaza who have had their permits taken away. Why? You only want workers?

Why don't you blame Hamas?

"We are not Hamas. How many Hamas people are there in Gaza? 200,000? We are two million ! Hamas took Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, not from me. Who controls the border checkpoints, the food and the fuel it is Israel. So what do you want?"

Israeli policy towards Gaza since Operation Protective Edge is designed to assist the economic recovery of the Gaza strip - or at least so says the defense establishment in Israel - rehabilitation that is expressed in increasing the number of merchants and importing goods into Gaza mainly for agriculture, textiles and iron.

Israel's Gaza Coordination Liaison Administration, a branch of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories headed by Major General Yoav (Poli)Mordechai, is promoting a number of economic projects designed to assist the population of the Gaza strip. One of the topics presented in September in New York at the annual conference of donors was the setting up of new industrial zones along the border controlled by Israel. Not surprisingly nothing has happened on the matter since.

When asked about the cancellation of Israeli entry permits for traders the General Security Services (Shabak) said, "No decision has been taken on an overall cancellation of entry permits to Israel for traders or businesspeople… full responsibility for cancelling the entry permits rests with the terrorist organizations, which cynically take advantage of the allowances granted by Israel to Gaza residents."

"Since Operation Protective Edge, there has been a substantial increase in the number of entry permits to Israel given to residents of the Gaza Strip, even though there are hundreds of Palestinians residing in Gaza staying over in Israel illegally."

Hamas: Supports business initiatives

The first public declaration in Gaza by Hamas on the subject of the initiative to develop industrial zones on the strip's border has come from Deputy Economic Minister Hatem Owida> He said earlier this week that in the name of the Hamas government that he welcomes the efforts being made by local and foreign businesspeople to encourage investment in the Gaza Strip.

In a press release, Owida said, "The Ministry of Economy supports the efforts being made by some businesspeople to attract investments and develop the economy of the Gaza Strip, especially in the area of setting up industrial zones and trade incentives." Owida added that the relevant authorities in Gaza are striving to ensure the existence of the required conditions for the success of these efforts."

Owida stresses these projects will reduce the huge suffering of the residents in the Strip in the wake of Israel's blockade. He adds that these projects can create job opportunities for the many people unemployed and cut the level of poverty and lead to the recovery of the economy which is suffering a deep recession.

Israeli businessman Shlomi Fogel said in response that he is pleased with the Hamas government's response. Fogel recalls that the two millionth Gaza resident born several days ago. He said, "It's clear that anybody with a head on their shoulders that only economic development and education will improve this baby's future. It is invaluable."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 20, 2016

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2016

Ali Hayek Photo: Abu Rami
Ali Hayek Photo: Abu Rami
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