Jobless Palestinians Take to Streets in Gaza

Reuters | 7/01/02 | Nidal al-Mughrabi

[kattracks]

July 1

— By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Chanting "we are not beggars," thousands of unemployed Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza City on Monday to accuse Yasser Arafat's governing authority of corruption and failing to provide them with jobs.

"Israel is the cause of all miseries, but the Palestinian Authority has a duty to protect its citizens from hunger," said march organizer Mohammad Dahman.

Organizers said at least 7,000 people took part in the march, many made jobless by a Palestinian uprising that erupted in September 2000 and led Israel to ban entry to tens of thousands of Palestinian laborers.

Arafat is under international pressure to make his government more transparent and introduce due process to his institutions. Backed by the United States, Israel says such reform is a prerequisite for the resumption of peace talks.

The protesters denounced government corruption, but were at pains not to direct criticism at Arafat himself.

"There is no problem with al-Khetiar (the old man), but all faces around him must be removed," said Ahmad el-Laham of Khan Younis refugee camp in the south, as others nodded agreement.

"Some of those who should be serving the public are robbing the public," said Tawfik al-Mashwaki, who spent five hours traveling through Israeli checkpoints to attend the rally.

Israel's ensuing crackdowns, closures and curfews amid Palestinian suicide bombings have further hurt the economy, especially in the teeming and impoverished Gaza Strip.

Several demonstrators held up empty plates. Others accused officials of embezzling foreign aid. "Where is the money we see donated by Arab nations on our TV screens? We get nothing," a man shouted. "It was stolen," others responded.

Workers demanded Palestinian Authority jobs or stipends.

Palestinian officials deny widespread corruption, instead blaming the conflict with Israel for the crisis.

"The Palestinian Authority is in deep financial crisis because of the war of starvation launched against it by Israel and because of an absence in international financial aid," Palestinian Labour Minister Ghassan al-Khatib told Reuters.

According to unofficial Israeli figures, at least 120,000 Palestinians worked in the Jewish state before the revolt began, earning up to $30 a day. World Bank data indicate that 50 percent of Palestinians now live on $2 a day, or less.

There is around 60 percent unemployment in the Gaza Strip. Dahman said at least 135,000 people lost jobs during the 21 months of violence, 40,000 of whom used to work in Israel.

"My children are eating what people dump in the garbage," said 55-year-old Fawzi Abu Lehya.

Copyright 2002 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved.

[WyldKard]

About time, but I'm sure most of these people will be accused of aiding the Israelis, and then shot....

[Guillermo]

"Israel is the cause of all miseries..." Here you have it folks. This is what just about every Muslim on earth believes.

[liberalism=failure]

I wonder if its possible to find a more self-defeating culture than that of the Palestinians.

[AppyPappy]

Several demonstrators held up empty plates. Others accused officials of embezzling foreign aid. "Where is the money we see donated by Arab nations on our TV screens? We get nothing," a man shouted. "It was stolen," others responded.

Oh those silly people. They messed up; they believed them.

[camle]

geez. you go out of your way to kill Israeli's. then you complain that they don't want to hire you.

[NC_Libertarian]

It's not that Israeli companies don't want to hire them, it's that they can't get to the jobs because the border is sealed.

[Catspaw]

If they get their wish and get a Palestinian state, will they have jobs in their own state? Why does the only source of income some of these people have (or had) is working for the Israelis? Where's the Palestinian economic development?

Arafat continually talks about "my people," but he's done squat for them, unless one considers homicide bombings as a job choice.

[TADSLOS]

I can see a PA job announcement in the Gaza classifieds now:

WANTED - Highly motivated individuals for this exciting, one time and explosive career field offer. No prior experience needed. We will train you. Are you fanatical about your muslim beliefs? We have the job for you. Great family benefits package and upward mobility potential as a Jihadist Martyr. No age or gender limits. We are an equal opportunity employer. Be a star in our training video collection. Please contact the offices of Yassar and Associates, Ramallah, West Bank, Israel, in person and, bring a friend. Please bring your coat size for proper fitting of professional attire. A current will is not required but highly recommended.

[chachacha]

It's not that Israeli companies don't want to hire them, it's that they can't get to the jobs because the border is sealed.

Which at least up to now, is the right thing to do to save innocent lives form those murderous little grand children. Don't you think??

[goldstategop]

Bums! Its all the Jews fault and instead of doing an honest day's work, they blow themselves up. If they keep it up, soon there will be no one left to bury all the carcasses piling up. I mean theirs.

[pragmatic]

I think this is a great development. It's progress that they are realizing the US and Israel are not all the cause of their troubles. If the ire of the mass of the Palestinians can be turned against Hamas, etc. that are really destroying there chances at economic independence, then there could actually be a chance for peaceful resolution.

[SJackson]

I GOT IT

Tourism

Tourism in Gaza depends mainly on the sea whose shores are famous for their golden bright sand; several precautionary measures have been taken to protect the shores from pollution. Tourism also depends on the archeological and historical sites, which are wide spread in Gaza; more archeological sites are under exploration. Gaza is famous for its moderate weather in the summer and winter, which encourages the people, to go to the beaches, parks and gardens. People also spend their leisure time on farms, orchards, and at touristic facilities.

Gaza Sites

[Catspaw]

Wow, a vacation in Gaza sounds positively splendid, right up there with a week in Iraq. I'm booking my flight now, uh huh.

[Catspaw]

It is expected that the number of tourists and tourist trade would increase after the declaration of the independent Palestinian State.

I love this....Achmed can be my cabana boy as soon as there's an independent Palestine state. It's something to look forward to, oh, yeah.