19 july 2015
Several fanatic Israeli settlers invaded, on Saturday evening, Palestinian farmlands in the town of al-Khader, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and uprooted hundreds of tomato and cauliflower plants and seedlings, in addition to destroying an entire field planted with Okra.
Ahmad Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader, said the Israeli extremists came from the illegal Israeli settlement of Efrat, built on stolen Palestinian lands.
Salah said the assailants invaded more than five Dunams (1.23 Acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands, and uprooted the crops, before running back to their settlement.
The invaded lands belong to three Palestinians identified as Jom’a Salah, Dirar Salah and Samir al-Balboul. Ahmad Salah also stated that the attackers swam in the pool of a local spring, used for both irrigation and drinking.
Ahmad Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader, said the Israeli extremists came from the illegal Israeli settlement of Efrat, built on stolen Palestinian lands.
Salah said the assailants invaded more than five Dunams (1.23 Acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands, and uprooted the crops, before running back to their settlement.
The invaded lands belong to three Palestinians identified as Jom’a Salah, Dirar Salah and Samir al-Balboul. Ahmad Salah also stated that the attackers swam in the pool of a local spring, used for both irrigation and drinking.
15 july 2015
On 13 and 14 July, Envoys of the Middle East Quartet met in Amman as part of their regular and direct outreach to Arab states.
Over the two days, the Envoys from the EU, Russia, US and UN met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and National Security Adviser Abdullah Wreikat to discuss how to preserve the two-state solution, and how to create conditions that will enable the parties to return to meaningful negotiations.
The Quartet envoys underlined the important role of Jordan in achieving a sustainable and just Israeli-Palestinian peace, and noted the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
The Quartet envoys also met with Kito de Boer, Director of the Office of the Quartet, to discuss how to advance steps on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in support of the Palestinian economy by strengthening investment in the private sector, rule of law, and movement and access.
Over the two days, the Envoys from the EU, Russia, US and UN met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and National Security Adviser Abdullah Wreikat to discuss how to preserve the two-state solution, and how to create conditions that will enable the parties to return to meaningful negotiations.
The Quartet envoys underlined the important role of Jordan in achieving a sustainable and just Israeli-Palestinian peace, and noted the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
The Quartet envoys also met with Kito de Boer, Director of the Office of the Quartet, to discuss how to advance steps on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in support of the Palestinian economy by strengthening investment in the private sector, rule of law, and movement and access.
The Palestinian Minister of Finance, Shukri Bshara, disclosed that the total of debt and arrears on the Palestinian government has reached $ 4.2 billion until mid of 2015.
Bshara said, in a press conference, that debt and arrears fell by a billion since the new government started its work one year ago.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the total of the debt from banks in Palestine reached $1.220 billion in forms of loans as well as short and long-term facilitation.
Other debts from foreign and Arabic banks and financial institutions reached one billion from the beginning of 2015 until the first half of the year.
The Minister said “there are arrears for the Palestinian private sector reached $ 2.1 billion."
The Palestinian unity government paid interests, mostly to the banks in Palestine, estimated at $ 7.5 billion during the first five months of 2015 according to statistical data by the Ministry of Finance.
Bshara said, in a press conference, that debt and arrears fell by a billion since the new government started its work one year ago.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the total of the debt from banks in Palestine reached $1.220 billion in forms of loans as well as short and long-term facilitation.
Other debts from foreign and Arabic banks and financial institutions reached one billion from the beginning of 2015 until the first half of the year.
The Minister said “there are arrears for the Palestinian private sector reached $ 2.1 billion."
The Palestinian unity government paid interests, mostly to the banks in Palestine, estimated at $ 7.5 billion during the first five months of 2015 according to statistical data by the Ministry of Finance.
14 july 2015
The European Union is making its second contribution this year to the Palestinian Authority’s quarterly payment of social allowances to poor Palestinian families living in the West Bank and Gaza. This contribution, channelled through PEGASE[1], amounts to €13.6 million and is funded by the European Union (€12.6 million) and the Government of Spain (€1 million).Eligible beneficiaries are households living in extreme poverty that are registered in the cash transfer programme of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The programme is designed to provide basic safety net to the poorest and most vulnerable Palestinians in the West bank and Gaza, through cash and in-kind assistance.The contribution covers 40% of the total cost of providing cash assistance to over 122,000 Palestinian households living in poverty. More than 64% are in Gaza.
“Our longstanding contribution to the payment of social allowances underlines the EU’s commitment to work closely with the Palestinian Authority to ensure that Palestinian families who struggle to make ends meet are not forgotten. This is complementary to our work with the Ministry of Social Affairs to develop a social protection framework that cares for those facing real economic or social hardship”, said the EU Representative, Mr. John Gatt-Rutter. “One year after the escalation of hostilities and its disastrous consequences in Gaza, and despite ongoing recovery efforts, there is continuous concern over the humanitarian conditions.
In a context of protracted uncertainty and instability, regular cash and in-kind assistance put predictability into the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable by offering them a guarantee of access to basic necessities. This payment bears a special social significance as it is made available ahead of Eid al fitr, permitting those in need to provide for their families.”
Payments are made through a network of local banks in Gaza and the West Bank.
This contribution represents the second tranche of EU’s financial commitment in 2015 of €40 million to contribute to the payment of social allowances to households living in extreme poverty in the West Bank and in Gaza. In response to the needs identified during the Cairo Gaza Reconstruction Conference in October 2014, this amount includes €10 million to provide immediate relief and contribute to build the resilience of households that have been pulled down into further poverty as a result of the devastation wrought by the 2014 hostilities in Gaza.
With this amount, an estimated 10,000 households in Gaza who fulfil the criteria of the cash transfer programme will benefit from a limited number of quarterly payments in 2015, until a more sustainable solution is found to ensure their livelihood in safety and dignity.
Most of the European Union’s assistance to the Palestinian Authority is channelled through PEGASE, the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and the subsequent Palestinian national plans. As well as helping to meet a substantial proportion of the PA’s running costs, European Union funds are supporting major reform and development programmes in key ministries, to help prepare the PA for statehood. Since February 2008, nearly €1.9 billion have been disbursed through the PEGASE direct financial support programmes. In addition, the EU has provided assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA as well as a wide range of other cooperation projects.
The programme is designed to provide basic safety net to the poorest and most vulnerable Palestinians in the West bank and Gaza, through cash and in-kind assistance.The contribution covers 40% of the total cost of providing cash assistance to over 122,000 Palestinian households living in poverty. More than 64% are in Gaza.
“Our longstanding contribution to the payment of social allowances underlines the EU’s commitment to work closely with the Palestinian Authority to ensure that Palestinian families who struggle to make ends meet are not forgotten. This is complementary to our work with the Ministry of Social Affairs to develop a social protection framework that cares for those facing real economic or social hardship”, said the EU Representative, Mr. John Gatt-Rutter. “One year after the escalation of hostilities and its disastrous consequences in Gaza, and despite ongoing recovery efforts, there is continuous concern over the humanitarian conditions.
In a context of protracted uncertainty and instability, regular cash and in-kind assistance put predictability into the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable by offering them a guarantee of access to basic necessities. This payment bears a special social significance as it is made available ahead of Eid al fitr, permitting those in need to provide for their families.”
Payments are made through a network of local banks in Gaza and the West Bank.
This contribution represents the second tranche of EU’s financial commitment in 2015 of €40 million to contribute to the payment of social allowances to households living in extreme poverty in the West Bank and in Gaza. In response to the needs identified during the Cairo Gaza Reconstruction Conference in October 2014, this amount includes €10 million to provide immediate relief and contribute to build the resilience of households that have been pulled down into further poverty as a result of the devastation wrought by the 2014 hostilities in Gaza.
With this amount, an estimated 10,000 households in Gaza who fulfil the criteria of the cash transfer programme will benefit from a limited number of quarterly payments in 2015, until a more sustainable solution is found to ensure their livelihood in safety and dignity.
Most of the European Union’s assistance to the Palestinian Authority is channelled through PEGASE, the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and the subsequent Palestinian national plans. As well as helping to meet a substantial proportion of the PA’s running costs, European Union funds are supporting major reform and development programmes in key ministries, to help prepare the PA for statehood. Since February 2008, nearly €1.9 billion have been disbursed through the PEGASE direct financial support programmes. In addition, the EU has provided assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA as well as a wide range of other cooperation projects.
12 july 2015
The Land of Peace for Development society on Saturday opened a seawater desalination plant in the Gaza Strip, with funding from a Turkish organization.
The desalination plant was established in al-Shati refugee camp, which is located along the Mediterranean Sea coastline in northern Gaza.
Head of the society Mohamed al-Harrazin told Anadolu news agency that the plant was created to address the problem of the highly saline underground water in Gaza and its negative impact on the lives of the population.
Harrazin added the project was funded by the Turkish organization Rabat and would help provide the Palestinian refugees in al-Shati camp with 25,000 cubic liters of fresh water every day.
The desalination plant was established in al-Shati refugee camp, which is located along the Mediterranean Sea coastline in northern Gaza.
Head of the society Mohamed al-Harrazin told Anadolu news agency that the plant was created to address the problem of the highly saline underground water in Gaza and its negative impact on the lives of the population.
Harrazin added the project was funded by the Turkish organization Rabat and would help provide the Palestinian refugees in al-Shati camp with 25,000 cubic liters of fresh water every day.
8 july 2015
Palestinian premier Rami al-Hamdallah said his government finished making all arrangements with the Egyptian side to send the remaining shipments of the Qatari fuel aid to the Gaza Strip.
In a press release on Tuesday, Hamdallah explained that about 10,000 tons of diesel would be released by Egypt as of Thursday and transferred to Gaza, noting that the fuel aid would be used by the power station in Gaza to generate power.
He affirmed that these fuel supplies would help the station to increase its power generation capacity to 80 megawatts and reduce the hours of power outages.
In a press release on Tuesday, Hamdallah explained that about 10,000 tons of diesel would be released by Egypt as of Thursday and transferred to Gaza, noting that the fuel aid would be used by the power station in Gaza to generate power.
He affirmed that these fuel supplies would help the station to increase its power generation capacity to 80 megawatts and reduce the hours of power outages.
After a three-day outage, the power came back on in the Palestinian Rafah city on Tuesday evening, an official source in Gaza said.
The three electricity lines feeding the Palestinian city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip were repaired by the Egyptian electricity company, according to the source.
However, the company said it has not finished maintenance work completely on the power lines, which sustained damage as a result of the recent security events in the Sinai.
The three electricity lines feeding the Palestinian city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip were repaired by the Egyptian electricity company, according to the source.
However, the company said it has not finished maintenance work completely on the power lines, which sustained damage as a result of the recent security events in the Sinai.
7 july 2015
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) expelled a Palestinian farmer from his field in Beit Ummar town to the north of al-Khalil on Tuesday.
Muhammad Awad, the spokesman of the Popular Committee against Wall and Settlement, said that the farmer Muhammad al-Salibi was expelled under the pretext of not having a permission to enter his own field.
He added that the IOF soldiers threatened to fire tear gas bombs at him and his family before they pulled out.
Al-Salibi has been assaulted many times by the IOF soldiers and settlers inside his land as part of their attempts to take control over it.
Muhammad Awad, the spokesman of the Popular Committee against Wall and Settlement, said that the farmer Muhammad al-Salibi was expelled under the pretext of not having a permission to enter his own field.
He added that the IOF soldiers threatened to fire tear gas bombs at him and his family before they pulled out.
Al-Salibi has been assaulted many times by the IOF soldiers and settlers inside his land as part of their attempts to take control over it.
24 june 2015
Israeli authorities yesterday handed down an order to Menizel village council, near Hebron city, to halt all building work on pipes and water tanks feeding water into the village.
Coordinator of Popular Resistence Committee, Rateb al-Jabour, told the official agency that the Israeli authorities presented member of the village council, Amad Rashid, with a notice of an order to halt the development of water pipes and tanks around the village.
Villages in the South Hebron hills are faced daily with new legislation, demolition threats and orders notifying owners that development is considered illegal by the occupying powers.
Demolition orders were delivered by Israeli officials yesterday for two tents in al-Mufaqarah village and one house, one tent and one cave in Jawwaya village, according to AIC.
Coordinator of Popular Resistence Committee, Rateb al-Jabour, told the official agency that the Israeli authorities presented member of the village council, Amad Rashid, with a notice of an order to halt the development of water pipes and tanks around the village.
Villages in the South Hebron hills are faced daily with new legislation, demolition threats and orders notifying owners that development is considered illegal by the occupying powers.
Demolition orders were delivered by Israeli officials yesterday for two tents in al-Mufaqarah village and one house, one tent and one cave in Jawwaya village, according to AIC.
MP Jamal Al-Khudari, the head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, said on Wednesday that the poverty and unemployment rates in Gaza had surpassed 50% due to the Israeli blockade that has entered its 8th consecutive year.
Khudari added that more than one million citizens in Gaza Strip depend on aid relief to survive, and the per capita income does not exceed two dollars a day.
He stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached horrific proportions, and is affecting all aspects of life.
The harsh economic and humanitarian conditions due to the Israeli blockade have been exacerbated by the Egyptian closure of all border tunnels, which used to provide the beleaguered Strip with a portion of its needs.
The MP called on the international community to immediately apply pressure for the lifting of the siege on Gaza, to avoid further deterioration of the already-critical humanitarian conditions.
Khudari added that more than one million citizens in Gaza Strip depend on aid relief to survive, and the per capita income does not exceed two dollars a day.
He stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached horrific proportions, and is affecting all aspects of life.
The harsh economic and humanitarian conditions due to the Israeli blockade have been exacerbated by the Egyptian closure of all border tunnels, which used to provide the beleaguered Strip with a portion of its needs.
The MP called on the international community to immediately apply pressure for the lifting of the siege on Gaza, to avoid further deterioration of the already-critical humanitarian conditions.
A group of extremist settlers set fire to large areas of Palestinian agricultural lands in Taiba town near Ramallah on Wednesday morning, local sources revealed.
The sources pointed out that fanatic settlers torched dozens of dunums of Palestinian lands planted with wheat, causing great damage.
The settlers came from the nearby Jewish Rimonim outpost constructed on Palestinian lands in Taiba, the sources noted.
The Palestinian owners of the burned lands were about to harvest their crops of wheat before being burnt by the fanatic settlers, the sources underlined.
The sources pointed out that fanatic settlers torched dozens of dunums of Palestinian lands planted with wheat, causing great damage.
The settlers came from the nearby Jewish Rimonim outpost constructed on Palestinian lands in Taiba, the sources noted.
The Palestinian owners of the burned lands were about to harvest their crops of wheat before being burnt by the fanatic settlers, the sources underlined.
The Hamas Movement has recently provided lighting for more than 200 homes in Khan Younis refugee camp to face long hours of power outages.
Alternative power solutions were used to address the electricity problem in the camp, according to the information office of Hamas in Gaza.
The initiative was part of a widespread humanitarian campaign launched by Hamas in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Gaza population has been suffering from a severe electricity crisis for several years because of Israel's blockade and its successive wars on the impoverished enclave.
Alternative power solutions were used to address the electricity problem in the camp, according to the information office of Hamas in Gaza.
The initiative was part of a widespread humanitarian campaign launched by Hamas in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Gaza population has been suffering from a severe electricity crisis for several years because of Israel's blockade and its successive wars on the impoverished enclave.
20 june 2015
The World Bank on Friday authorized a contribution of $55 million in assistance to the occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank, saying it would go toward strengthening government institutions as well the private economy.
A statement said the grant would "support investment in municipal services, water and sanitation, energy, as well as social protection, health and education."
The contribution brings the organization's total assistance to Palestine since 1993 to $970 million.
"In the highly unpredictable operating environment, institution strengthening to build the foundation of a strong Palestinian administration and to improve service delivery has been central to the Bank's program," said Steen Jorgensen, the World Bank's country director. Jorgensen added: "In parallel, the Bank emphasizes private sector development as the key driver for economic and employment opportunities."
The statement said that the assistance would balance "short-term stabilization and reconstruction activities" with projects that promote long-term sustainable growth.
It added: "The World Bank will maintain dialogue with the Palestinian authority and donors to develop longer-term opportunities to unleash the Palestinian entrepreneurial spirit, engine for growth with social justice."
The Palestinian Authority relies heavily on international donors whose contributions have historically been related to ongoing peace negotiations including the Oslo accords in 1993 and the Annapolis Conference in 2007.
Last month, the World Bank warned of a fiscal crisis, particularly in the blockaded Gaza Strip where unemployment is "probably the highest in the world."
The report called on the Palestinian Authority, Israel and the donor community to take "actions" and carry out "reforms" in order "to reverse the recent and worrisome slowdown in economic growth" and "avoid a dangerous fiscal crisis."
A statement said the grant would "support investment in municipal services, water and sanitation, energy, as well as social protection, health and education."
The contribution brings the organization's total assistance to Palestine since 1993 to $970 million.
"In the highly unpredictable operating environment, institution strengthening to build the foundation of a strong Palestinian administration and to improve service delivery has been central to the Bank's program," said Steen Jorgensen, the World Bank's country director. Jorgensen added: "In parallel, the Bank emphasizes private sector development as the key driver for economic and employment opportunities."
The statement said that the assistance would balance "short-term stabilization and reconstruction activities" with projects that promote long-term sustainable growth.
It added: "The World Bank will maintain dialogue with the Palestinian authority and donors to develop longer-term opportunities to unleash the Palestinian entrepreneurial spirit, engine for growth with social justice."
The Palestinian Authority relies heavily on international donors whose contributions have historically been related to ongoing peace negotiations including the Oslo accords in 1993 and the Annapolis Conference in 2007.
Last month, the World Bank warned of a fiscal crisis, particularly in the blockaded Gaza Strip where unemployment is "probably the highest in the world."
The report called on the Palestinian Authority, Israel and the donor community to take "actions" and carry out "reforms" in order "to reverse the recent and worrisome slowdown in economic growth" and "avoid a dangerous fiscal crisis."
19 june 2015
health care providers anywhere else. It was within this context that EmpowerGaza came about, embodying this objective.
One of the driving forces behind EmpowerGaza is Dr Tarek Loubani, an emergency room physician and assistant professor at Western University in Canada. He very kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to MEMO about the project.
Dr Loubani has a history of supporting human rights in Gaza and has worked with Al-Shifa Hospital by taking physicians to teach local doctors advanced cardiac life support and advanced trauma life support; this is where the inspiration for EmpowerGaza came from. The use of solar power in Gaza has been demonstrated through a project at Al-Shifa, which is Gaza's largest hospital. Loubani and the EmpowerGaza team looked at all of the hospitals with intensive care units and dialysis units, which were targeted for the first phase of this project: Al-Aqsa, Kamal Adwan, European Gaza and Rantisi Children's hospitals all fit the bill.
The EmpowerGaza project was launched with the Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for the first pilot location – Al Aqsa Hospital - and has received huge support from doctors and health care providers in Gaza, as well as policymakers involved in the decision-making for health care, Dr Loubani told me. "Even the patients who have heard about the project are incredibly excited by how hard we are working to make it a reality," he added. What makes EmpowerGaza unique in Loubani's view is that it is "by Palestinians, for Palestinians" to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of Gaza's sickest patients. "As such, all of the work installing and operating the system will be by locals living and working in Gaza."
When asked why Gaza in particular is the focus of the project and not another part of Palestine where electricity is a major issue, Loubani explained that there are "excellent initiatives" to address the energy issues in other parts of the occupied territories. "However, while there are electricity problems in other parts, it is clear that the Gaza strip is in deep crisis, with patients losing their lives to the electricity shortage. Because of this, EmpowerGaza chose the Gaza hospitals as a priority."
The project has yet to encounter any major obstacles, which Dr Loubani attributes to the fact that "people all over the world want to help Palestinian patients and are sympathetic to their search for the human right to have access to adequate health care." The EmpowerGaza team have been overwhelmed and pleased by the positive response from across the world, with people contributing to the campaign from over fifty countries.
The biggest consequence of this project is the increase of reliability for doctors and patients. "It's hard for people outside Gaza to imagine how devastating the power cuts are," explains the Canadian physician. "Doctors rush through sensitive procedures for fear of the lights getting cut. It's unacceptable, and it has to end."
Many projects and initiatives struggle to flourish in Gaza due to the Israeli occupation and blockade as well as the bureaucracy. In addition, during last year's attack on Gaza many projects were destroyed by Israeli bombs. I asked Dr Loubani what steps will be taken to ensure that EmpowerGaza can overcome such problems and sustain the project. He believes that its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will ensure its success. The UNDP is presently the only organisation that is permitted to transport construction materials into the Gaza Strip. "As such, we are very optimistic that the project will be completed successfully. We have been working for over a year to ensure that it is a success, and our biggest obstacle now is funding the project so that we can start buying and installing the solar power modules."
The EmpowerGaza team are optimistic that the project will develop further over the next few years, as they envision completing the remainder of the public hospitals in Gaza, a total of fourteen altogether. They are also hoping to expand the scope of the project so that it can cover more than the essential services and further reduce the energy needs of hospitals. The people of Palestine, especially those in Gaza, have suffered immensely at the hands of Israeli aggression and it is high time that they are empowered through something that the rest of the world enjoys; access to solar power.
Website : http://igg.me/at/EmpowerGaza
twitter: http://twitter.com/empowergaza
All project-related images can be found at the IGG site.
One of the driving forces behind EmpowerGaza is Dr Tarek Loubani, an emergency room physician and assistant professor at Western University in Canada. He very kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to MEMO about the project.
Dr Loubani has a history of supporting human rights in Gaza and has worked with Al-Shifa Hospital by taking physicians to teach local doctors advanced cardiac life support and advanced trauma life support; this is where the inspiration for EmpowerGaza came from. The use of solar power in Gaza has been demonstrated through a project at Al-Shifa, which is Gaza's largest hospital. Loubani and the EmpowerGaza team looked at all of the hospitals with intensive care units and dialysis units, which were targeted for the first phase of this project: Al-Aqsa, Kamal Adwan, European Gaza and Rantisi Children's hospitals all fit the bill.
The EmpowerGaza project was launched with the Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for the first pilot location – Al Aqsa Hospital - and has received huge support from doctors and health care providers in Gaza, as well as policymakers involved in the decision-making for health care, Dr Loubani told me. "Even the patients who have heard about the project are incredibly excited by how hard we are working to make it a reality," he added. What makes EmpowerGaza unique in Loubani's view is that it is "by Palestinians, for Palestinians" to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of Gaza's sickest patients. "As such, all of the work installing and operating the system will be by locals living and working in Gaza."
When asked why Gaza in particular is the focus of the project and not another part of Palestine where electricity is a major issue, Loubani explained that there are "excellent initiatives" to address the energy issues in other parts of the occupied territories. "However, while there are electricity problems in other parts, it is clear that the Gaza strip is in deep crisis, with patients losing their lives to the electricity shortage. Because of this, EmpowerGaza chose the Gaza hospitals as a priority."
The project has yet to encounter any major obstacles, which Dr Loubani attributes to the fact that "people all over the world want to help Palestinian patients and are sympathetic to their search for the human right to have access to adequate health care." The EmpowerGaza team have been overwhelmed and pleased by the positive response from across the world, with people contributing to the campaign from over fifty countries.
The biggest consequence of this project is the increase of reliability for doctors and patients. "It's hard for people outside Gaza to imagine how devastating the power cuts are," explains the Canadian physician. "Doctors rush through sensitive procedures for fear of the lights getting cut. It's unacceptable, and it has to end."
Many projects and initiatives struggle to flourish in Gaza due to the Israeli occupation and blockade as well as the bureaucracy. In addition, during last year's attack on Gaza many projects were destroyed by Israeli bombs. I asked Dr Loubani what steps will be taken to ensure that EmpowerGaza can overcome such problems and sustain the project. He believes that its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will ensure its success. The UNDP is presently the only organisation that is permitted to transport construction materials into the Gaza Strip. "As such, we are very optimistic that the project will be completed successfully. We have been working for over a year to ensure that it is a success, and our biggest obstacle now is funding the project so that we can start buying and installing the solar power modules."
The EmpowerGaza team are optimistic that the project will develop further over the next few years, as they envision completing the remainder of the public hospitals in Gaza, a total of fourteen altogether. They are also hoping to expand the scope of the project so that it can cover more than the essential services and further reduce the energy needs of hospitals. The people of Palestine, especially those in Gaza, have suffered immensely at the hands of Israeli aggression and it is high time that they are empowered through something that the rest of the world enjoys; access to solar power.
Website : http://igg.me/at/EmpowerGaza
twitter: http://twitter.com/empowergaza
All project-related images can be found at the IGG site.
17 june 2015
|
Every summer, hundreds of tonnes of corn flow into Gaza's markets. Thousands of Gazans working in the field will harvest this season's corn. The process begins with farmers who plant the crops, producing a large amount. It is then sold to the traders who then sell it to the market. It then reaches the citizens and the grilled corn cart owners.
This corn provides a good seasonal source of income, as hundreds of Gazans line up along Gaza's coast to purchase corn from the corn vendors. Some sell grilled corn, while others boil it, and the carts stand on the corners of the city centre. Some have started to call these carts "poor-man's corn" because it usually seems a source of income to individuals who struggle to make a living as a result of high unemployment rates in the Gaza Strip. It is also called this because it is affordable for the poor- an ear of corn costs no more than 50 cents. |
16 june 2015
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday morning prevented Palestinian farmers in Jalud town, southeast of Nablus city, from harvesting their wheat fields.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli military and police forces stormed wheat fields in the town's eastern plains and barred farmers from continuing their work.
They added that the soldiers confiscated a farm tractor and a baling machine the farmers were using and fined one of them 1,000 shekels at the pretext of not having a license for the tractor.
They asserted that the Israeli measures against the farmers was in response to the request of an extremist Jewish settler, who came along with the soldiers.
Upon their arrival at the lands, the Palestinian farmers were surprised to see that more than 30 dunums of their wheat had been ruined by Jewish settlers.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli military and police forces stormed wheat fields in the town's eastern plains and barred farmers from continuing their work.
They added that the soldiers confiscated a farm tractor and a baling machine the farmers were using and fined one of them 1,000 shekels at the pretext of not having a license for the tractor.
They asserted that the Israeli measures against the farmers was in response to the request of an extremist Jewish settler, who came along with the soldiers.
Upon their arrival at the lands, the Palestinian farmers were surprised to see that more than 30 dunums of their wheat had been ruined by Jewish settlers.
15 june 2015
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Monday afternoon, a Palestinian in Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and confiscated fruit and vegetable stands, on the main on the entrance of the town, near the Jerusalem-Hebron road.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, said the soldiers stopped a Palestinian car and kidnapped its driver, Ahmad Mohammad Za’aqeeq, 28 years of age, after forcing him out of his vehicle along with his wife and their 5-month-old son.
Awad added that the soldiers held the three Palestinians for more than two hours, before kidnapping Za’aqeeq, and took him to the military tower, installed at the main entrance of the town, before moving him to an unknown destination.
In addition, soldiers attacked dozens of Palestinian farmers, and confiscated their fruit and vegetable stands, on the main entrance of Beit Ummar.
The confiscated fruits and vegetables belong to Mohannad Ibrahim Saber, Ayman Shehada Sabarna, Hamza Abu Mariya, Yahya Falah Abu Mariya, Saber Ahmad Abu Ayyash, Mo’men Nazeeh Mesyef and Mahmoud Mohammad Sabarna.
Late on Sunday at night, and earlier Monday, Israeli soldiers invaded various Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped Twelve Palestinians.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, said the soldiers stopped a Palestinian car and kidnapped its driver, Ahmad Mohammad Za’aqeeq, 28 years of age, after forcing him out of his vehicle along with his wife and their 5-month-old son.
Awad added that the soldiers held the three Palestinians for more than two hours, before kidnapping Za’aqeeq, and took him to the military tower, installed at the main entrance of the town, before moving him to an unknown destination.
In addition, soldiers attacked dozens of Palestinian farmers, and confiscated their fruit and vegetable stands, on the main entrance of Beit Ummar.
The confiscated fruits and vegetables belong to Mohannad Ibrahim Saber, Ayman Shehada Sabarna, Hamza Abu Mariya, Yahya Falah Abu Mariya, Saber Ahmad Abu Ayyash, Mo’men Nazeeh Mesyef and Mahmoud Mohammad Sabarna.
Late on Sunday at night, and earlier Monday, Israeli soldiers invaded various Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped Twelve Palestinians.
9 june 2015
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday morning, the al-Khalayla neighborhood in the al-Jeeb town, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem, and demolished three Palestinian industrial structures.
Several military vehicles, and bulldozers, invaded the neighborhood, approximately at 6:30 in the morning, and demolished a blacksmith workshop belonging to al-Kiswani family, and two car repair facilities, belonging to Nour al-Matari and Mohannad Mansour.
Israel alleges the structures were built without construction permits.
Head of the Local Council, Ismael Abu Rabah, said this is the fourth time the soldiers demolish the Kiswani family blacksmith workshop that provides livelihood to more than twenty Palestinians, while the Mansour workshop provides livelihood to three families.
Abu Rabah added that the families filed construction permits to the City Council more than four years ago, and paid at least 50.000 NIS to obtain all needed permits and documents.
He added that the al-Matari workshop was first demolished five months ago, and that the City Council “practically froze all construction applications, civil and for industrial purposes, more than thirty years ago.”
The al-Khalayla neighborhood has been under strict Israeli measures for more than ten years, while the army prevents any Palestinian, who is not a resident of the neighborhood, from entering without a permit.
The same restrictions also apply to food products and goods, Abu Rabah said.
“Add to that the daily suffering and humiliation the children are subjected to on the al-Jeeb roadblock,” he added, “The soldiers stop and search them every single school day, causing delays. The army inspects even our food products; everything requires prior coordination and permission from the Israeli Authorities.”
He also said the 900 Palestinians live in the neighborhood, while Israel is threatening to demolish several homes, as the neighborhood is surrounded by illegal Israeli colonies that are constantly expanding, while the residents are not even allowed to live on their own lands, and build homes.
Several military vehicles, and bulldozers, invaded the neighborhood, approximately at 6:30 in the morning, and demolished a blacksmith workshop belonging to al-Kiswani family, and two car repair facilities, belonging to Nour al-Matari and Mohannad Mansour.
Israel alleges the structures were built without construction permits.
Head of the Local Council, Ismael Abu Rabah, said this is the fourth time the soldiers demolish the Kiswani family blacksmith workshop that provides livelihood to more than twenty Palestinians, while the Mansour workshop provides livelihood to three families.
Abu Rabah added that the families filed construction permits to the City Council more than four years ago, and paid at least 50.000 NIS to obtain all needed permits and documents.
He added that the al-Matari workshop was first demolished five months ago, and that the City Council “practically froze all construction applications, civil and for industrial purposes, more than thirty years ago.”
The al-Khalayla neighborhood has been under strict Israeli measures for more than ten years, while the army prevents any Palestinian, who is not a resident of the neighborhood, from entering without a permit.
The same restrictions also apply to food products and goods, Abu Rabah said.
“Add to that the daily suffering and humiliation the children are subjected to on the al-Jeeb roadblock,” he added, “The soldiers stop and search them every single school day, causing delays. The army inspects even our food products; everything requires prior coordination and permission from the Israeli Authorities.”
He also said the 900 Palestinians live in the neighborhood, while Israel is threatening to demolish several homes, as the neighborhood is surrounded by illegal Israeli colonies that are constantly expanding, while the residents are not even allowed to live on their own lands, and build homes.