Egyptian Journalist Describes 'Absolute Prosperity' in Gaza

[Chris]

Egyptian Journalist Describes 'Absolute Prosperity' in Gaza
by Maayana Miskin

With Hamas telling tales of deprivation and suffering in Gaza, Egyptian journalist Ashraf Abu al-Houl has added his report to others who were surprised to discover a “prosperous” Gaza in which prices are low and luxury businesses are booming. Al-Houl's story of his trip to Gaza and his realization that “in actual terms, Gaza is not under siege” was written up in the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). "A sense of absolute prosperity prevails, as manifested by the grand resorts along and near Gaza's coast. Further, the site of the merchandise and luxuries filling the Gaza shops amazed me,” he reported.

Concerned that his initial impression of prosperity may have been misleading, “I toured the new resorts, most of which are quite grand, as well as the commercial markets, to verify my hypothesis. The resorts and markets have come to symbolize prosperity, and to prove that the siege is formal or political, not economic,” Al-Houl said. Gaza's markets are filled with a “plethora of goods,” he wrote. Prices on many items, particularly food, are much lower than they are in Egypt, he said. With goods entering Gaza from both smuggling tunnels to Egypt and humanitarian aid shipments coming in via Israeli crossings, “supply is much greater than demand,” he stated.

more.................Egyptian Journalist Describes 'Absolute Prosperity' in Gaza - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

[readytogo]

And the bleeding hearts just eat up the stories of the "poor starving Palestinians".

[koti]

I've been to gaza... my ex husband is Palestinian... I lived there with him.(not in gaza but have spent quite a bit of time there).. it is not as pretty as that reporter makes it out to be.

I've seen first hand the problems there...while they are not all quite as poor as they claim... none (except those working in the government ) are anywhere near how that reporter claimed.

FYI egyptians HATE Palestinians... they say the Palestinian were not grateful for Egypt trying to assist them during the 7 day war. (i think the issue goes back further then that...but that is the reason most give today).. Palestinians say egypt ran and wasn't really trying to help them...

ack... Arab politics is like 5 year olds fighting...it is quite sad.

[Adopted Son]

You know Koti, as much as I want to believe this report, I feel as you claim that all is not so rosy in Gaza. I do think the Israeli embargo has had an effect on the availability of CERTAIN goods and services. And I hope they are the right group of goods that are withheld. I want the embargo to have an effect on the population, because if they get tired enough, they will insist the militants stop their behavior which caused the embargo in the first place.

Secondly, I don't have confidence the Palestinians are altruistic enough not to squander the resources they do have, thereby increasing the effectiveness of any withholding of goods in Gaza.

[koti]

You know Koti, as much as I want to believe this report, I feel as you claim that all is not so rosy in Gaza. I do think the Israeli embargo has had an effect on the availability of CERTAIN goods and services. And I hope they are the right group of goods that are withheld. I want the embargo to have an effect on the population, because if they get tired enough, they will insist the militants stop their behavior which caused the embargo in the first place.

Secondly, I don't have confidence the Palestinians are altruistic enough not to squander the resources they do have, thereby increasing the effectiveness of any withholding of goods in Gaza.

While I am not a supporter of the Israeli government (If you really look at it many members are secular... barely following their own jewish laws)I also don't put all the blame on them for how the Palestinians are living.

The problems are long standing. Both sides have a hand in the way things are playing out... They both make unreasonable demands just to have peace talks.

When I was there in 2005-2006 I saw where some of the camps didn't even have running water... they got water out of the drains in the street and had to boil it... Israeli guards would shut down checkpoints and the Palestinians could not leave their area...not even for medical emergencies... The stores would be blown up... They would have to scrounge for food.. sneak out, facing death to try and find some. There is truth to some of the stories of Israeli soldiers just shooting willy nilly at Palestinians as if it was a game...but not to the extent the muslims want you to believe.. Also I don't think the muslims realize that there is a difference between a religious Jew and a secular Jew and hate all Jews for because of the acts of a few that are most likely secular.

I met many Jewish Israelis and most just want peace with the Palestinians... They are just as tired of all this as the Palestinians. Many have stated they would be more then willing to live in peace side by side with the Palestinians if they would just stop blowing up people.


With all this said... I am not pro palestinian... Palestinian to some extent have just as much responsibilty for being in the situation they are in as Israel has.

Sadly there are many christian Palestinians living in those camps suffering for the actions of the Palestinian terrorists. Those are the ones we never hear of. They are stuck in those camps purely because they are Palestinian and poor... They are caught in the middle.


Honestly I just find this whole situation very sad... I hate that innocent people on both sides are getting caught up in the mess!!! Most of all... the innocent children!

ETA~ When Yassar Arafat died... his widow got an astounding amount of PLO money to live off for the rest of her life... I mean in the millions! If PLO money was used for what it was supposed to be used for instead of lining PLO pockets... I do believe the Palestinians would be much better off!!!

[readytogo]

If PLO money was used for what it was supposed to be used for instead of lining PLO pockets... I do believe the Palestinians would be much better off!!!

And there, you have hit the crux of the matter. Any aid that is sent to the Palestinians ends up buying weapons to fight Israel and/or buying luxuries for the "representatives" of the Palestinian government--i.e. Hamas and Fatah terrorists.

[Hannah]

Placing all this in the hands of the Lord may His Will for Israel and the Middle East only prevail. May God's will be done and may Israel be protected from the violent & murderous plans and schemes of the enemy. Amen

Well I'm glad the truth is out. Unfortunately too many people in general will not hear this truth. However God knows and He can do something about it. Leaving it with the Lord.