Israeli Controls Holding Back Palestinian Economy: IMF

[Purveyor]

AFP | Washington July 3, 2013

The International Monetary Fund today said Israel's tight restrictions were hindering growth of the Palestinian private sector and holding back the Palestinian economy.

In a report following a mission to the West Bank and Gaza, IMF said it expected growth in the Palestinian economy to slow this year to about 4.25 per cent, with little progress expected in cutting unemployment from the current 24 per cent.

The report said the Palestinians need to build the private sector in an economy heavily dependent on foreign aid to surmount a chronic deficit.

"Persistent Israeli controls and obstacles on internal movement, exports, and imports in the West Bank, as well as the virtual closure of Gaza, thwart the private sector," the Fund said.

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http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/israeli-controls-holding-back-palestinian-economy-imf-113070301044_1.html

[aquart]

1. So true. It's not like Egypt has a gate they could open.

[Scootaloo]

2. There's some "Flotilla to Tibet" logic going on in your post

Just thought you might want to know.

[aquart]

3. Can't float to Tibet.

Can drive to Gaza.

[Scootaloo]

5. And the West Bank?

You know, that other part of Palestine? The one controlled on all borders (and within them, for the most part) by Israel?

Also note that there is one crossing between Egypt and Gaza, the Rafah crossing. There are five crossings between Gaza and Israel; Erez, Nahal Oz, Karni, Sufa, and Kerem Shalom.

Worth mention is that the overwhelming bulk of Gaza's border - including its coastline - is controlled by Israel.

Let's not forget that trade between Gaza and Egypt would have to pass through the Sinai. It's not exactly a short trip, as the Book of Exodus might clue you in on (okay maybe not that bad...). The Rafah crossing is, as mentioned, one crossing, and it's not terribly big. All this sort of stuff lends great expense to shipping. it's not Santa Claus doing these deliveries, you know. On hteother hand, the markets of Israel are literally right on theother side of those five crossings. I'm not familiar with hteir individual sizes, but five of them do help relieve and problems of individual scale.

Israel is also involved in the Palestinian economy intimately, all the way up to collecting Palestinian taxes. Compared to Israel, Egypt is a small-taco trade partner for Palestine (what with the one crossing, on the far side of a desert wasteland, and all) and has next to no real influence on Palestinian markets (such as htey are.)

Brushing off the impact that Israel has on the Palestinian economy, because Egypt has one closed crossing with Gaza, is fucking stupid, is what I'm saying. It's like saying that the US can't be blamed for Iraq, because Iceland sent two men as part of the Multinational Task force.

[aquart]

6. I'm shocked that you think Gaza won't share with the West Bank.

Shocked, I tell you.

But even more shocked that you think Israel owes the Palestinians free and open use of the markets they so enjoy blowing up.

See, you set off one bomb and nobody wants to sit next to you on the bus. Ever.

I bet the Rafah Gate could be widened. Think of it as a jobs program.

So back to the Sinai. Israel has been attacking commerce and vehicles flowing through the Rafah Gate? Damn, I miss all the goodies. Link, pretty please?

[azurnoir]

9. Perhaps more attention should be paid to Egypt

seems they are having their own problems these days maybe you could look it up

[oberliner]

4. 4.25 percent growth for the Palestinian economy

That's about the same as Thailand.

[aquart]

7. Which Palestinian economy? Gaza or West Bank?

[oberliner]

8. That's the figure in the OP

Check the second paragraph excerpted above. It seems to be referring to both.