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Israel-Palestine
Gaza industrial zone to close
2004-06-10
An industrial park in northern Gaza that provides jobs for more than 4,000 Palestinians is to close. The Roosevelt Roads Erez industrial zone will be shut down as part of Israel’s plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Be very careful what you wish for ...
Troops will no longer provide security in an area that has been targeted by Palestinian militants. No closure date was given in the announcement, which follows the Israeli government’s approval of a plan to pull troops and settlers out of Gaza. The Palestinian Minister for Labour, Ghassan Khatib, condemned the planned closure as "collective punishment".
Completely unlike the mass murdering bombers.
The Erez zone had been a model of economic co-operation between Israel and the Palestinians. Israeli businesses, mainly textile factories, had benefited from cheap labour while Palestinians had enjoyed stable employment. The factories will be moved to southern Israel and owners compensated.
Time for the Palestinians to discover what is involved in actually creating nonexplosive jobs.

’Bad message’
Following the announcement, many Palestinian workers are fearful for the future. "I was expecting this decision since they started talking about disengagement but it is another bad message to be received these days," Radwan Abu Alaish, a mechanic who works in the industrial zone told the Associated Press news agency.
Still happy that you attended all of those "Israel out of Gaza now!" rallies Arafat organized for you, Radwan?
Unemployment stands at 40-60% in Gaza. The Palestinian minister for labour, said that any move to close the park should be co-ordinated with the Palestinian authority.
Why should Israel coordinate anything with their avowed enemy?
He added that Palestinians would need international help to set up new jobs in Gaza.
Just as donor fatigue is peaking. Oh, the humanity!

Struggle
Critics have argued the decision may mean the end of the whole concept of economic co-operation between Israel and Palestine.
In other late breaking news, Pope and bear. Tape at 11:00.
"This is a classic lose-lose situation," Arie Aron, economics professor at Ben Gurion University told AP.
Lose-lose = Palestinians lose their livelyhoods and Israel loses a significant threat source.
"It is the first sign of a of a much larger split between the two economies". He warned that while jobs would be created for poor Israelis the factories would struggle to adapt to paying higher wages.
Stop, stop! You’re ripping Sharon’s heart out. It’s about time that the Palestinians got an up close and personal look at exactly what Arafat has been "struggling" to create for his people. Grinding poverty, dead-end politics and a nation without resources or industry. Now there’s a roadmap for success!
Posted by:Zenster

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