15 dec 2013
Gaza's lone power station rumbled to life on Sunday for the first time in more than seven weeks after receiving a long-awaited delivery of diesel, the electricity company said.
"The power station started reworking gradually after stopping for 50 days," spokesman Jamal Dirsawi told AFP.
The plant, which supplies some 30 percent of the coastal enclave's electricity needs, fell silent on Nov. 1 as the stocks of diesel to power it ran out.
"The first generator has started working, the second one will follow, and by this evening, the company should be able to generate around 60 megawatts of electricity," he said.
"This will give the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) an opportunity to provide more hours of electricity to citizens."
The power station began operating after receiving a delivery of long-awaited fuel earlier in the day, that had been purchased from Israel by the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority using funds donated by Qatar.
Raed Fatuh, the PA official in charge of transferring goods into Gaza, said 450,000 liters of fuel were being supplied to the plant on Sunday.
The PA is involved in helping coordinate the transfer of goods into Gaza via Israel, which Hamas does not recognize.
Gaza's Hamas rulers have blamed the fuel outage on Egypt's destruction of cross-border tunnels which had been used for bringing fuel into the blockaded Strip.
They have also accused the Palestinian Authority of charging too much for fuel.
"The power station started reworking gradually after stopping for 50 days," spokesman Jamal Dirsawi told AFP.
The plant, which supplies some 30 percent of the coastal enclave's electricity needs, fell silent on Nov. 1 as the stocks of diesel to power it ran out.
"The first generator has started working, the second one will follow, and by this evening, the company should be able to generate around 60 megawatts of electricity," he said.
"This will give the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) an opportunity to provide more hours of electricity to citizens."
The power station began operating after receiving a delivery of long-awaited fuel earlier in the day, that had been purchased from Israel by the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority using funds donated by Qatar.
Raed Fatuh, the PA official in charge of transferring goods into Gaza, said 450,000 liters of fuel were being supplied to the plant on Sunday.
The PA is involved in helping coordinate the transfer of goods into Gaza via Israel, which Hamas does not recognize.
Gaza's Hamas rulers have blamed the fuel outage on Egypt's destruction of cross-border tunnels which had been used for bringing fuel into the blockaded Strip.
They have also accused the Palestinian Authority of charging too much for fuel.
Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) started to pump industrial diesel donated by Qatar into the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning through Karm Abu Salem crossing. An official in the Palestinian government in Gaza told a PIC correspondent that 450,000 liters of diesel donated by Qatar was being shipped to Gaza on Sunday morning in order to re-operate the Strip's sole power plant.
Qatar has donated 10 million dollars to pay taxes imposed on fuel allocated to Gaza power plant by the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya announced on Tuesday that Qatar will send a ship carrying fuel needed to run the plant for about 4 months.
Qatar has donated 10 million dollars to pay taxes imposed on fuel allocated to Gaza power plant by the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya announced on Tuesday that Qatar will send a ship carrying fuel needed to run the plant for about 4 months.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications(MOTC) in Gaza said that the losses of Gaza port estimated to $300,000 in the last disastrous cold front. Director General of Ports in Gaza Sa’ed Ammar said in a press release on Sunday morning that the precautionary measures taken by the ministry before the beginning of the storm contributed to mitigating the damages.
Ammar pointed out that the ministry crews evacuated 200 drifters inside the port and activated the wave breaker throughout the day and night during the winter storm; so this reduced the average of losses significantly.
He noted that his ministry had previously warned of the weakness of wave breaker due to the Israeli prevention of entering cement to strengthen the breaker.
He said the ministry collected 500 tons of cement blocks from the streets of Gaza in order to consolidate the breaker.
He said that the breaker will not do well in case of a new cold front hits Gaza.
The Palestinian government provided 600 cement blocks while it needs about 4,000 to 5,000 blocks which cost $2.5millon.
Ammar pointed out that the ministry crews evacuated 200 drifters inside the port and activated the wave breaker throughout the day and night during the winter storm; so this reduced the average of losses significantly.
He noted that his ministry had previously warned of the weakness of wave breaker due to the Israeli prevention of entering cement to strengthen the breaker.
He said the ministry collected 500 tons of cement blocks from the streets of Gaza in order to consolidate the breaker.
He said that the breaker will not do well in case of a new cold front hits Gaza.
The Palestinian government provided 600 cement blocks while it needs about 4,000 to 5,000 blocks which cost $2.5millon.
14 dec 2013
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya said that Qatar pledged 15 million dollars to help solve the power crisis and aid the population affected by floods, in addition to fuel shipments for the Gaza power plant. During a tour of the affected areas in central Gaza on Friday evening, premier Haneyya said that Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Al Thani promised over a phone call with him to send next Tuesday shipments of fuel enough to operate the Gaza power plant for four months.
Haneyya added that Qatar would also channel 10 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to pay the fuel taxes it would purchase for the Gaza power plant if the latter agreed on that.
He also said that Qatar would send five million dollars in aid to help those affected by the air depression that hit Gaza.
The premier expressed his sincere thanks to Qatar for extending a helping hand to the Gaza people in time of need.
Haneyya added that Qatar would also channel 10 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to pay the fuel taxes it would purchase for the Gaza power plant if the latter agreed on that.
He also said that Qatar would send five million dollars in aid to help those affected by the air depression that hit Gaza.
The premier expressed his sincere thanks to Qatar for extending a helping hand to the Gaza people in time of need.
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Al Thani pledged to make efforts to solve the power crisis and improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. This came during a telephone call on Friday evening between Sheikh Tamim Al Thani and Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya, who put the latter in the picture of the impacts of the air depression that hit the Gaza Strip recently and exacerbated the poor living conditions of the population.
A press release issued by the government in Gaza stated that premier Haneyya phoned the Emir of Qatar to urge him to help the Gaza population from the humanitarian disasters that have afflicted them as a result of the blockade and worsened further due to the bad weather.
It added that the Emir of Qatar promised to make contacts and more efforts to end the power crisis in Gaza soon and expressed his keenness on addressing its difficult humanitarian situation.
The Gaza Strip suffers from an extremely difficult humanitarian situation especially after the power plant stopped working two months ago and hundreds of families were rendered homeless because of the heavy rains.
A press release issued by the government in Gaza stated that premier Haneyya phoned the Emir of Qatar to urge him to help the Gaza population from the humanitarian disasters that have afflicted them as a result of the blockade and worsened further due to the bad weather.
It added that the Emir of Qatar promised to make contacts and more efforts to end the power crisis in Gaza soon and expressed his keenness on addressing its difficult humanitarian situation.
The Gaza Strip suffers from an extremely difficult humanitarian situation especially after the power plant stopped working two months ago and hundreds of families were rendered homeless because of the heavy rains.
Brigadier Yousuf Al-Zahhar, head of the civil defense administration, said that the acute fuel shortage as a result of the blockade on Gaza and the equipment malfunctions hampered the work of rescue teams during the last three days. "Now, we suffer from the breakdown of the civil defense vehicles while there are no spare parts and we do not have enough fuel to use the pumps to drain rainwater from all the affected areas," Brigadier Zahhar told the Palestinian information center (PIC).
"We have tried to deal with the first low pressure rainstorm through pumping and draining rainwater, but there are still houses in need of help and rendered underwater," he added.
He affirmed that "the impacts of the first low pressure rainstorm, which hit the Gaza Strip last Wednesday, started to disappear, but Gaza is anticipating the most ferocious polar air depression, which may cause a disaster because of the ongoing blockade."
"What has escalated the problem was that the Israeli occupation criminally and without prior warning opened the dams in Salqa Valley and the southern area of Deir Al-Balah, which led to the evacuation of many residents," the civil defense official added.
He appealed to the international community and humanitarian groups to extend a helping hand urgently to the Gaza population.
"We have tried to deal with the first low pressure rainstorm through pumping and draining rainwater, but there are still houses in need of help and rendered underwater," he added.
He affirmed that "the impacts of the first low pressure rainstorm, which hit the Gaza Strip last Wednesday, started to disappear, but Gaza is anticipating the most ferocious polar air depression, which may cause a disaster because of the ongoing blockade."
"What has escalated the problem was that the Israeli occupation criminally and without prior warning opened the dams in Salqa Valley and the southern area of Deir Al-Balah, which led to the evacuation of many residents," the civil defense official added.
He appealed to the international community and humanitarian groups to extend a helping hand urgently to the Gaza population.
12 dec 2013
Media Advisor to the Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza Taher al-Nunu condemned European calls for the suspension of salaries of Palestinian Authority employees in the Gaza Strip who have been forced to resign since 2006. Nunu said that these calls "are the result of the wrong policy adopted by some leaders who have contributed to the deepening of the Palestinian rift."
He said in a press statement on Wednesday that these calls came few days after other measures were taken by the Ramallah authority against those employees.
Nunu denounced the European position and said it represents an attempt to politically blackmail part of the people.
He called on Fatah movement to implement the reconciliation agreement and end the political and geographic divisions, which some are trying to impose on the Palestinian people.
He said in a press statement on Wednesday that these calls came few days after other measures were taken by the Ramallah authority against those employees.
Nunu denounced the European position and said it represents an attempt to politically blackmail part of the people.
He called on Fatah movement to implement the reconciliation agreement and end the political and geographic divisions, which some are trying to impose on the Palestinian people.
11 dec 2013
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) said Wednesday that there was no evidence of corruption or mismanagement in the European Union’s (EU) Direct Financial Support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) through the PEGASE Mechanism. The European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission (EC) welcomed the ECA report, “in particular the Court's conclusion that the Commission and EEAS have succeeded in implementing this support in spite of difficult circumstances and PEGASE has the confidence of Member States, 16 of whom have contributed to it, together with Switzerland and Japan,” according to a memo by the EC.
The PEGASE Mechanism is accompanied by an extensive set of verification measures, which the Court itself described as robust, also recognizing that the funds channeled through PEGASE are reaching the intended beneficiaries, said the EC memo.
“Co-operation with the Palestinian Authority takes place in very particular circumstances, in the context of Israeli occupation, with an Authority which does not have the powers of a state government and where part of the Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, is run by de facto authorities with which the EU has no relations,” it said.
“By helping the Palestinian Authority to meet its wages and pensions bill for essential service providers and pensioners, and pay for social allowances to most vulnerable groups, the EU is making a tangible contribution to the preparation for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said the EC.
The report makes a number of recommendations on how to improve EEAS and EC co-operation with the PA.
“The Commission and the EEAS agree to review the PEGASE mechanism and take the recommendations made by the Court into account,” said the memo, adding that some of these recommendations are being implemented.
“Both institutions already review the mechanism on a regular basis, taking account of changes on the ground (for example discontinuing one component on fuel deliveries to the Gaza Power Plant and adding others as circumstances change – Private Sector Reconstruction in Gaza following Operation Cast Lead and more recently support to East Jerusalem hospitals),” it said.
Based on an assessment carried out in 2011, the Commission started providing in 2013 a comprehensive support to the PA for Civil Service Reform, an issue raised by the Court.
The EC said performance indicators will be introduced in the areas suggested by the Court, bearing in mind that many of the elements required to fulfill these indicators lie partly or wholly outside the control of the Palestinian Authority.
“The Commission and the EEAS do not consider strict conditionality to be desirable or effective in these circumstances. Ultimately sustainability of the EU’s assistance in this field can only be ensured by political progress on intra-Palestinian reconciliation and, above all, by an end to the Israeli occupation,” it added.
On the issues surrounding the civil servants who are not able to work in Gaza are complex in the circumstances prevailing in the Gaza Strip, the Commission and the EEAS said they consider that “the PA must continue supporting its workers in Gaza as a key element of maintaining its presence in Gaza and the unity of a future Palestinian State.”
The Commission and the EEAS also said they believe that the delay in salary payments on a number of occasions by the PA in 2012 was due to the overall financial difficulties of the PA and not to the number of eligible beneficiaries under PEGASE, nor to lower contributions from Member States.
The PEGASE Mechanism is accompanied by an extensive set of verification measures, which the Court itself described as robust, also recognizing that the funds channeled through PEGASE are reaching the intended beneficiaries, said the EC memo.
“Co-operation with the Palestinian Authority takes place in very particular circumstances, in the context of Israeli occupation, with an Authority which does not have the powers of a state government and where part of the Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, is run by de facto authorities with which the EU has no relations,” it said.
“By helping the Palestinian Authority to meet its wages and pensions bill for essential service providers and pensioners, and pay for social allowances to most vulnerable groups, the EU is making a tangible contribution to the preparation for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said the EC.
The report makes a number of recommendations on how to improve EEAS and EC co-operation with the PA.
“The Commission and the EEAS agree to review the PEGASE mechanism and take the recommendations made by the Court into account,” said the memo, adding that some of these recommendations are being implemented.
“Both institutions already review the mechanism on a regular basis, taking account of changes on the ground (for example discontinuing one component on fuel deliveries to the Gaza Power Plant and adding others as circumstances change – Private Sector Reconstruction in Gaza following Operation Cast Lead and more recently support to East Jerusalem hospitals),” it said.
Based on an assessment carried out in 2011, the Commission started providing in 2013 a comprehensive support to the PA for Civil Service Reform, an issue raised by the Court.
The EC said performance indicators will be introduced in the areas suggested by the Court, bearing in mind that many of the elements required to fulfill these indicators lie partly or wholly outside the control of the Palestinian Authority.
“The Commission and the EEAS do not consider strict conditionality to be desirable or effective in these circumstances. Ultimately sustainability of the EU’s assistance in this field can only be ensured by political progress on intra-Palestinian reconciliation and, above all, by an end to the Israeli occupation,” it added.
On the issues surrounding the civil servants who are not able to work in Gaza are complex in the circumstances prevailing in the Gaza Strip, the Commission and the EEAS said they consider that “the PA must continue supporting its workers in Gaza as a key element of maintaining its presence in Gaza and the unity of a future Palestinian State.”
The Commission and the EEAS also said they believe that the delay in salary payments on a number of occasions by the PA in 2012 was due to the overall financial difficulties of the PA and not to the number of eligible beneficiaries under PEGASE, nor to lower contributions from Member States.
Gaza premier Ismail Haneyya discussed with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani on Tuesday night the impact of the siege on Gaza Strip and its power crisis. The office of the council of ministers in Gaza said in a terse statement that Sheikh Abdullah reached Haneyya over the telephone on Tuesday night.
It said that the discussion tackled the conditions in Gaza in light of the siege and means of solving the power crisis in the Strip.
It pointed out that Sheikh Abdullah promised to discuss Haneyya’s proposals and to convey them to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
It said that the discussion tackled the conditions in Gaza in light of the siege and means of solving the power crisis in the Strip.
It pointed out that Sheikh Abdullah promised to discuss Haneyya’s proposals and to convey them to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
9 dec 2013
School children in the besieged Gaza Strip have staged a demonstration in front of the house of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, blaming him for the ongoing power crisis in the coastal enclave. During the protest rally, which was held on Sunday, demonstrators chanted slogans against Abbas and some even burned posters with his picture.
“Abbas is partially responsible for the electricity crisis that we are in right now. We can’t study in the dark. I don’t understand why Mahmoud Abbas is doing this to us,” a Palestinian student said.
Palestinians in the tiny coastal enclave have been living on an average of six hours of electricity per day for nearly forty days after Gaza’s sole power generating plant was forced to shut down due to fuel shortage.
In recent days, several homes in Gaza caught fire due to blazes caused by candles. The blaze left a number of children wounded.
Students are expected to suffer tremendously in the coming days as they start their mid-year exams amid long hours of power outages and the cold winter nights.
The protestors also demanded the immediate lifting of the blockade imposed by Israel on the enclave, calling on Egypt to provide Gaza with electricity.
“Instead of providing electricity to us, Egypt has been threatening Gaza. We are unable to study for our exams and it is really hard to spend our time in the dark. This is really harmful for our future,” another student said.
Israel imposed an all-out land, aerial, and naval blockade on Gaza in June 2007.
The siege has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the impoverished enclave, having turned the territory into the world’s largest open-air prison.
In recent months, fuel and electricity shortages in Gaza have worsened as the Egyptian military has blocked supply tunnels leading into the region. The destruction of the tunnels has reportedly led to an increase in the price of fuel and other commodities in the coastal territory.
The Palestinian Authority is responsible for providing fuel to a power plant that used to generate about thirty percent of Gaza’s electricity needs while the rest is purchased from Israel and Egypt.
Officials from Gaza government say the plant will remain shut until fuel supplies resume from Egypt through the tunnels or the Rafah border crossing, or from Israel if the Palestinian Authority agrees not to impose the heavy taxes.
“Abbas is partially responsible for the electricity crisis that we are in right now. We can’t study in the dark. I don’t understand why Mahmoud Abbas is doing this to us,” a Palestinian student said.
Palestinians in the tiny coastal enclave have been living on an average of six hours of electricity per day for nearly forty days after Gaza’s sole power generating plant was forced to shut down due to fuel shortage.
In recent days, several homes in Gaza caught fire due to blazes caused by candles. The blaze left a number of children wounded.
Students are expected to suffer tremendously in the coming days as they start their mid-year exams amid long hours of power outages and the cold winter nights.
The protestors also demanded the immediate lifting of the blockade imposed by Israel on the enclave, calling on Egypt to provide Gaza with electricity.
“Instead of providing electricity to us, Egypt has been threatening Gaza. We are unable to study for our exams and it is really hard to spend our time in the dark. This is really harmful for our future,” another student said.
Israel imposed an all-out land, aerial, and naval blockade on Gaza in June 2007.
The siege has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the impoverished enclave, having turned the territory into the world’s largest open-air prison.
In recent months, fuel and electricity shortages in Gaza have worsened as the Egyptian military has blocked supply tunnels leading into the region. The destruction of the tunnels has reportedly led to an increase in the price of fuel and other commodities in the coastal territory.
The Palestinian Authority is responsible for providing fuel to a power plant that used to generate about thirty percent of Gaza’s electricity needs while the rest is purchased from Israel and Egypt.
Officials from Gaza government say the plant will remain shut until fuel supplies resume from Egypt through the tunnels or the Rafah border crossing, or from Israel if the Palestinian Authority agrees not to impose the heavy taxes.
Energy Authority in Gaza said that the Power Company informed it about the impossibility of continuing the current timetable of the power cut and expected a rise of the power shortage rate to 75%. Deputy Chairman of the Energy Authority Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil said in a press conference Sunday that the six-hours (daily) of power supply is devoted to the essential regular needs, urging citizens not to operate electric heaters or any type of device that may cause excess on electricity load.
He called the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to stop taxing the fuel for only 40 days to give an emergency solution for the crisis, indicating that his authority submitted an application to the occupation authorities to buy 100 megawatts which is considered one of the solutions proposed on the table to end the current crisis
Al Sheikh Khalil appealed to the Egyptian authorities to send the Qatar-donated fuel devoted to the power plant in Gaza to minimize the Gazans’ suffering..
Director General of Public Relations in the Electricity Distribution Company, Jamal al-Derdesawy said in the conference that the shortage rate is expected to reach 80% in the coming hours, especially with the fall of temperature and the use of electric heaters.
Al-Derdisawi added that the only available solution in the meantime to end the crisis is to rationalize the citizens’ electricity consumption.
He pointed out that his company is currently searching for urgent emergency solutions. “we are not talking now about strategic solutions, we are now facing a complex crisis.”
He said that the two main lines supply Rafah city with electricity are faulty without providing any clear justifications or information.
He added that there are about 600,000 air conditioners, heaters and water heaters in Gaza, either in summer or winter, those cause exceeding on loads on the company’s power wires.
He called the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to stop taxing the fuel for only 40 days to give an emergency solution for the crisis, indicating that his authority submitted an application to the occupation authorities to buy 100 megawatts which is considered one of the solutions proposed on the table to end the current crisis
Al Sheikh Khalil appealed to the Egyptian authorities to send the Qatar-donated fuel devoted to the power plant in Gaza to minimize the Gazans’ suffering..
Director General of Public Relations in the Electricity Distribution Company, Jamal al-Derdesawy said in the conference that the shortage rate is expected to reach 80% in the coming hours, especially with the fall of temperature and the use of electric heaters.
Al-Derdisawi added that the only available solution in the meantime to end the crisis is to rationalize the citizens’ electricity consumption.
He pointed out that his company is currently searching for urgent emergency solutions. “we are not talking now about strategic solutions, we are now facing a complex crisis.”
He said that the two main lines supply Rafah city with electricity are faulty without providing any clear justifications or information.
He added that there are about 600,000 air conditioners, heaters and water heaters in Gaza, either in summer or winter, those cause exceeding on loads on the company’s power wires.
Deputy Chairman of the Gaza Energy Authority, Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil, warned of increasing power cuts in Gaza Strip, and reminded that electricity is only available for six hours per day.
In a press conference held on Sunday, Sheikh Khalil said that Gaza's power deficit is going to reach 80 per cent in the coming days, as winter approaches, due to increasing demand.
Egypt had cut off Rafah power lines raising deficiency in power up to 80% and leading to long hours of daily power cuts, he pointed out.
He called on citizens not to use heating or air conditioning or any other electric appliances that might increase loads on the company’s power lines in light of the electricity company’s deficiency to meet all the regular needs, calling on the PA in Ramallah to cancel fuel tax for the next 40 days at least.
Sheikh Khalil appealed to the Egyptian authorities to allow entry of the Qatar-donated fuel badly needed to operate the power station in Gaza so as to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.
He pointed out that the Energy Authority submitted an application with the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) to buy 100 megawatts, which is considered one of the proposed solutions to end the current crisis, but did not receive any response.
Gazans have been suffering electricity cutoffs up to 18 hours a day after Gaza's main power station stopped operating since early November due to acute fuel shortage.
Meanwhile, dozens of students participated in a sit-in on Sunday evening outside PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's house in Gaza protesting against the continuing electricity crisis and condemning the PA role in tightening the siege on the enclave.
During the sit-in, the participants lighted up candles to shed light on Gaza's electricity crisis that led to electricity cuts of up to 18 hours per day.
The protesters raised banners calling for breaking Gaza siege, and saving the life of 1.8 million of people in Gaza. They also held the IOA and the PA responsible for increasing the power crisis in the besieged Strip.
In a press conference held on Sunday, Sheikh Khalil said that Gaza's power deficit is going to reach 80 per cent in the coming days, as winter approaches, due to increasing demand.
Egypt had cut off Rafah power lines raising deficiency in power up to 80% and leading to long hours of daily power cuts, he pointed out.
He called on citizens not to use heating or air conditioning or any other electric appliances that might increase loads on the company’s power lines in light of the electricity company’s deficiency to meet all the regular needs, calling on the PA in Ramallah to cancel fuel tax for the next 40 days at least.
Sheikh Khalil appealed to the Egyptian authorities to allow entry of the Qatar-donated fuel badly needed to operate the power station in Gaza so as to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.
He pointed out that the Energy Authority submitted an application with the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) to buy 100 megawatts, which is considered one of the proposed solutions to end the current crisis, but did not receive any response.
Gazans have been suffering electricity cutoffs up to 18 hours a day after Gaza's main power station stopped operating since early November due to acute fuel shortage.
Meanwhile, dozens of students participated in a sit-in on Sunday evening outside PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's house in Gaza protesting against the continuing electricity crisis and condemning the PA role in tightening the siege on the enclave.
During the sit-in, the participants lighted up candles to shed light on Gaza's electricity crisis that led to electricity cuts of up to 18 hours per day.
The protesters raised banners calling for breaking Gaza siege, and saving the life of 1.8 million of people in Gaza. They also held the IOA and the PA responsible for increasing the power crisis in the besieged Strip.
7 dec 2013
Palestinian minister of local government Mohamed Al-Farra said that the acute shortage of fuel supplies as a result of the blockade has prevented the municipal authorities in Gaza from assuming their duties properly and helping the citizens and the neighborhoods affected by the heavy rainfall in the area. During a check visit to the affected districts on Thursday, Farra said that the municipalities in Gaza are in dire need of fuel supplies and special equipment to save the flooded areas.
He affirmed that the blockade and the resultant fuel and power crises made it difficult for the municipalities to deal with the situation and prevent the flooding of homes and their sewage systems.
The minister held the besieging parties fully responsible for the inundation of many homes in Gaza, stressing the need for extending a helping hand to Gaza municipalities and provide them with their fuel needs in order to use their vehicles and suction pumps and hasten to help the citizens.
He affirmed that the blockade and the resultant fuel and power crises made it difficult for the municipalities to deal with the situation and prevent the flooding of homes and their sewage systems.
The minister held the besieging parties fully responsible for the inundation of many homes in Gaza, stressing the need for extending a helping hand to Gaza municipalities and provide them with their fuel needs in order to use their vehicles and suction pumps and hasten to help the citizens.
The Dutch government will supply a state-of-the-art security scanner to be installed at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian Authority official said.
PA Director of Border Crossings Nathnmi Muhanna told Ma'an Friday that the scanner would increase Gaza's volume and range of imports and exports.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, along with various other EU ministers, will visit Ramallah Sunday before heading to the Gaza Strip to install the new scanner in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, Muhanna said.
A new, Dutch-donated scanner will also be installed at the Allenby Bridge crossing with Jordan.
Omar Shaban, the Dutch government's adviser in Gaza, said earlier this week that Rutte would meet with President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit.
Rutte's visit will promote economic cooperation between the Netherlands and Palestine, Shaban said in a statement.
The Dutch PM will also meet with businesspeople in Bethlehem to discuss future cooperation in the food industry and agriculture, the statement said.
Shaban added that Rutte would meet with Israeli officials and urge them to allow more imports and exports to travel through border crossings, particularly food and agricultural products, following the installation of the security scanners.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
PA Director of Border Crossings Nathnmi Muhanna told Ma'an Friday that the scanner would increase Gaza's volume and range of imports and exports.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, along with various other EU ministers, will visit Ramallah Sunday before heading to the Gaza Strip to install the new scanner in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, Muhanna said.
A new, Dutch-donated scanner will also be installed at the Allenby Bridge crossing with Jordan.
Omar Shaban, the Dutch government's adviser in Gaza, said earlier this week that Rutte would meet with President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit.
Rutte's visit will promote economic cooperation between the Netherlands and Palestine, Shaban said in a statement.
The Dutch PM will also meet with businesspeople in Bethlehem to discuss future cooperation in the food industry and agriculture, the statement said.
Shaban added that Rutte would meet with Israeli officials and urge them to allow more imports and exports to travel through border crossings, particularly food and agricultural products, following the installation of the security scanners.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
6 dec 2013
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has requested that the Israeli state-run Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) forgive half of the PA’s 1.1 billion shekel debt and allow the remaining half to be repaid over a period of 20 years, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz.
PA Finance Minister Shukri Bishara requested the deal in a letter, causing anger among Israeli officials, who reportedly described it as “insulting.” The financially unstable IEC has been relying on the PA’s payment for it’s own survival.
The debt has come at a time when the PA is suffering a severe financial crisis due to a decline in international aid and a stunt in economic growth. According to a September International Monetary Fund report, West Bank and Gaza GDP growth slowed to 2.7% and unemployment reached 17%, in the West Bank.
PA Finance Minister Shukri Bishara requested the deal in a letter, causing anger among Israeli officials, who reportedly described it as “insulting.” The financially unstable IEC has been relying on the PA’s payment for it’s own survival.
The debt has come at a time when the PA is suffering a severe financial crisis due to a decline in international aid and a stunt in economic growth. According to a September International Monetary Fund report, West Bank and Gaza GDP growth slowed to 2.7% and unemployment reached 17%, in the West Bank.
5 dec 2013
The European Union has granted the Palestinian Authority (P.A) in the West Bank approximately €11 Million to help it pay November salaries of more than 71.000 Palestinian civil employees and pensioners, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The European contribution is transferred through the PEGASE mechanism, used by the EU and international countries to assist help the P.A in preparing for the future Palestinian State.
EU representative John Gatt-Rutter stated that the EU has been the biggest donor, and most reliable partner with the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank.
He added that this contribution and support is part of the EU’s persistent support of the Palestinian people, and that this support would continue in 2014.
Gatt-Rutter said that establishing an independent and viable Palestinian State is very important for peace in the region, and that the EU is invested in building strong Palestinian institutions that would contribute to reaching a lasting peace deal.
The European official further stated that the EU fully supports a negotiated solution to the conflict, and will continue to act on ensuing successful peace talks that would lead to a final-status peace agreement.
The European contribution is transferred through the PEGASE mechanism, used by the EU and international countries to assist help the P.A in preparing for the future Palestinian State.
EU representative John Gatt-Rutter stated that the EU has been the biggest donor, and most reliable partner with the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank.
He added that this contribution and support is part of the EU’s persistent support of the Palestinian people, and that this support would continue in 2014.
Gatt-Rutter said that establishing an independent and viable Palestinian State is very important for peace in the region, and that the EU is invested in building strong Palestinian institutions that would contribute to reaching a lasting peace deal.
The European official further stated that the EU fully supports a negotiated solution to the conflict, and will continue to act on ensuing successful peace talks that would lead to a final-status peace agreement.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh discussed with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Althan, the former Emir of Qatar, on Wednesday the ongoing crisis of electricity outage in Gaza. Sheikh Hamad offered his condolences to PM Ismael Haniyeh for the death of his granddaughter in a phone call.
He discussed with Haniyeh the impacts of the siege on Gaza especially the electricity outage.
He discussed with Haniyeh the impacts of the siege on Gaza especially the electricity outage.
4 dec 2013
The Israeli Justice Ministry will not meet its January 1 deadline to apply Israeli labor laws to Palestinians working for Israelis in the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.
Israeli Economy Ministry representative Riki Yehezkel said the ministry is unable to ensure that Palestinians working in for Israeli settlers receive the Israeli minimum wage, which is required by law, because, as JPost said, “the Justice Ministry has yet to declare which other labor laws apply to the region.”
Public Petitions Committee chairwoman MK Adi Kol (Yesh Atid) said the situation was an example of “government offices allowing clear violations of workers’ basic rights,” and added, “It cannot be that Palestinian laborers work under slave-like conditions just because ministries can’t handle the schedule they gave themselves.”
According to JPost, 25,000 Palestinians are employed by Israelis in the West Bank, and the average daily wage for a Palestinian worker is NIS 168.
That ‘average’, however, is based on the minimum wage they’re supposed to make, said MK Dov Henin (Hadash). “Who’s enforcing it?” he added. Economy Ministry representative Riki Yehezkel said, “The Economy Minister enforces minimum wage if it receives complaints, but does not initiate enforcement. Over the last two years we investigated 25 complaints over the Green Line, but the only labor law we can enforce is minimum wage.”
Chana Zohar of the NGO Workers’ Hotline told JPost, “Minimum wage law clearly applies to Palestinians and yet there’s a terrible situation in the Jordan Valley, where workers make NIS 8- 12 an hour without any other rights. One in four Palestinians pays his employer NIS 1,500-2,000 a month for work permits.”
Kol plans to demand that the Israeli Justice and Defense Ministries work better to ensure labor laws to Palestinians working for Israeli settlers in the West Bank. A follow up meeting will happen next month, according to JPost.
Israeli Economy Ministry representative Riki Yehezkel said the ministry is unable to ensure that Palestinians working in for Israeli settlers receive the Israeli minimum wage, which is required by law, because, as JPost said, “the Justice Ministry has yet to declare which other labor laws apply to the region.”
Public Petitions Committee chairwoman MK Adi Kol (Yesh Atid) said the situation was an example of “government offices allowing clear violations of workers’ basic rights,” and added, “It cannot be that Palestinian laborers work under slave-like conditions just because ministries can’t handle the schedule they gave themselves.”
According to JPost, 25,000 Palestinians are employed by Israelis in the West Bank, and the average daily wage for a Palestinian worker is NIS 168.
That ‘average’, however, is based on the minimum wage they’re supposed to make, said MK Dov Henin (Hadash). “Who’s enforcing it?” he added. Economy Ministry representative Riki Yehezkel said, “The Economy Minister enforces minimum wage if it receives complaints, but does not initiate enforcement. Over the last two years we investigated 25 complaints over the Green Line, but the only labor law we can enforce is minimum wage.”
Chana Zohar of the NGO Workers’ Hotline told JPost, “Minimum wage law clearly applies to Palestinians and yet there’s a terrible situation in the Jordan Valley, where workers make NIS 8- 12 an hour without any other rights. One in four Palestinians pays his employer NIS 1,500-2,000 a month for work permits.”
Kol plans to demand that the Israeli Justice and Defense Ministries work better to ensure labor laws to Palestinians working for Israeli settlers in the West Bank. A follow up meeting will happen next month, according to JPost.
3 dec 2013
Palestinian Prime Minister in the occupied West Bank, Rami Hamdallah, stated that Qatar has promised to transfer $150 million to the Palestinian Authority (P.A.) to help ease its sharp financial crises.
Hamdallah said that he held extensive talks with Prince Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani, in Qatar, asked him to grant the P.A. $150 Million, and said that the prince agreed to make the transfer. Hamdallah added that he hopes the transfer will be done as soon as possible, to enable the P.A. to perform its duties, pay salaries and provide services -- especially since Qatar did not set a date for this transfer.
The Prime Minister said that Palestine has many resources which could generate income, but the Israeli occupation, restrictions and violations, Israel’s illegitimate settlement activities and its annexation wall, are choking the Palestinian economy and preventing any economic progress.
He further stated that Qatar also promised to ease restrictions imposed on employing the Palestinian work force in the country.
Last September, Hamdallah said that the P.A. needs at least $150 million by the end of this year in order to function and provide basic services.
Israel controls all border terminals leading to the West Bank and, therefore, all exports or imports must go through Israeli-controlled border terminals. Palestinians leaving or entering the country also end up paying fees to the Israeli Border Authority.
It is supposed to transfer approximately 500 Million New Israeli Shekels per month, for taxes it collects on border terminals, but has repeatedly withheld the transfer to pressure the P.A. into halting all international political moves, including the submission of applications to join Unites Nations institutions.
Tel Aviv also deducts 3% each month, in commissions for collecting the money, as it refuses to grant the P.A. access or control over border terminals.
The U.S. has repeatedly withheld financial support to the P.A. in the West Bank, to pressure it into continuing direct diplomatic talks with Tel Aviv, despite the escalating Israeli violations and settlement activities.
Hamdallah said that he held extensive talks with Prince Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani, in Qatar, asked him to grant the P.A. $150 Million, and said that the prince agreed to make the transfer. Hamdallah added that he hopes the transfer will be done as soon as possible, to enable the P.A. to perform its duties, pay salaries and provide services -- especially since Qatar did not set a date for this transfer.
The Prime Minister said that Palestine has many resources which could generate income, but the Israeli occupation, restrictions and violations, Israel’s illegitimate settlement activities and its annexation wall, are choking the Palestinian economy and preventing any economic progress.
He further stated that Qatar also promised to ease restrictions imposed on employing the Palestinian work force in the country.
Last September, Hamdallah said that the P.A. needs at least $150 million by the end of this year in order to function and provide basic services.
Israel controls all border terminals leading to the West Bank and, therefore, all exports or imports must go through Israeli-controlled border terminals. Palestinians leaving or entering the country also end up paying fees to the Israeli Border Authority.
It is supposed to transfer approximately 500 Million New Israeli Shekels per month, for taxes it collects on border terminals, but has repeatedly withheld the transfer to pressure the P.A. into halting all international political moves, including the submission of applications to join Unites Nations institutions.
Tel Aviv also deducts 3% each month, in commissions for collecting the money, as it refuses to grant the P.A. access or control over border terminals.
The U.S. has repeatedly withheld financial support to the P.A. in the West Bank, to pressure it into continuing direct diplomatic talks with Tel Aviv, despite the escalating Israeli violations and settlement activities.
1 dec 2013
Ihab Al-Ghussain, the spokesman for Gaza government, said that office of PA chief Mahmoud Abbas was trying to foil efforts to solve the Gaza power crisis. He said in a TV interview with Aqsa satellite station on Saturday night that official efforts were being made by Abbas’s office to abort any solution to the power crisis that has been plaguing Gaza for weeks due to the lack of fuel to operate Gaza’s sole power station.
Ghussain said that “conspiracies” were being hatched to tighten the siege on Gaza Strip.
Efforts are ongoing with other countries such as Turkey and Qatar and even the UN to find a solution, the spokesman said, hoping that a solution would be reached in the near future.
Ghussain did not give a timeframe for ending the Gaza power crisis, pointing to Turkey’s grant of necessary fuel to operate hospitals and municipality services to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in those fields.
Ghussain said that “conspiracies” were being hatched to tighten the siege on Gaza Strip.
Efforts are ongoing with other countries such as Turkey and Qatar and even the UN to find a solution, the spokesman said, hoping that a solution would be reached in the near future.
Ghussain did not give a timeframe for ending the Gaza power crisis, pointing to Turkey’s grant of necessary fuel to operate hospitals and municipality services to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in those fields.
30 nov 2013
By Khalid Amayreh in Occupied Palestine
Muhammed Azmi is a middle-aged Palestinian who can hardly makes ends meet due to an unprecedented economic crunch hitting the occupied territories. He lives with his wife, Sara, and six children in the southern West Bank town of Hebron.
He says he doesn't remember a worse situation ever since the conclusion of the Oslo Agreement between Israel and the PLO more than 20 years ago.
"You see, if you are not a thief or a rich man, or a contractor working in Israel, or have connections with people in the Palestinian Authority, you are likely to be living a beggar's life."
Azmi, a school teacher for the past 30 years, explains the "foolishly high cost of living" facing the vast majority of Palestinian families.
"I don't need to give an eloquent lecture to explain our grievances and conditions. The money or salary we get at the beginning of each month is only enough to keep us running for 7 to 10 days. This means that for the rest of the month, (20 days) we have to live like beggars."
The West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority (PA) maintains a self-rule authority with limited powers, has been facing an unprecedented hike in the prices of basic consumer products and services.
At the same time, the PA has utterly failed to rectify the crisis, forcing many citizens, especially young men, to seek opportunities abroad. Some Palestinian academics are worried that the economic crisis could eventually undermine the Palestinian people's ability to withstand the Israeli occupation.
Some Palestinian families are reacting to the economic crisis by marrying off their daughters at a younger age or by dropping their children from college. Others are forced to sell their real estate assets, including land and buildings to maintain a decent living.
The PA has a fluctuating annual budget of 3-3.8 billion dollars. However, a disproportionate share of this budget goes to the various security agencies, tasked with, maintaining security coordination with Israel.
It is widely believed that the amount of money the PA spends on the security agencies exceeds allocations for health, education, agriculture and several other ministries.
The PA defends the oblique allocation system, arguing that "these are the conditions and dictates of the donor countries, and we can't tell them 'No'."
Another problem contributing to deepening poverty among Palestinians is the rampant corruption permeating through the Palestinian administrative apparatus. It is believed that hundreds of millions of dollars are lost every year as a direct or indirect result of graft, bribery, nepotism, favoritism and cronyism.
The PA has made certain efforts to stem the tide of corruption. However, due to the fact that the PA regime lacks political sovereignty and has no real control over territory, its ability to fight the ghoul of corruption remains limited at best.
It is also believed that Israel is actively encouraging financial corruption among PA officials and operatives by facilitating shadowy business deals which would enable these operatives to make a lot of profits. Some Palestinian pundits are worried that Israel is likely to blackmail these Palestinians into paying a certain price in exchange for Israeli cooperation.
The financial crisis, coupled with the high cost of living, high inflation and unprecedented hike in basic consumer products are causing what looks like a social implosion.
And if we add this to the chronic political deadlock and the deteriorating security situation, chances of an uprising or intifada are real, according to many observers and political analysts.
The spokesman of a major political faction in the West Bank told this writer recently that "the question is no longer if the next uprising will happen but when it will."
"It is going to happen sooner than many people think."
Muhammed Azmi is a middle-aged Palestinian who can hardly makes ends meet due to an unprecedented economic crunch hitting the occupied territories. He lives with his wife, Sara, and six children in the southern West Bank town of Hebron.
He says he doesn't remember a worse situation ever since the conclusion of the Oslo Agreement between Israel and the PLO more than 20 years ago.
"You see, if you are not a thief or a rich man, or a contractor working in Israel, or have connections with people in the Palestinian Authority, you are likely to be living a beggar's life."
Azmi, a school teacher for the past 30 years, explains the "foolishly high cost of living" facing the vast majority of Palestinian families.
"I don't need to give an eloquent lecture to explain our grievances and conditions. The money or salary we get at the beginning of each month is only enough to keep us running for 7 to 10 days. This means that for the rest of the month, (20 days) we have to live like beggars."
The West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority (PA) maintains a self-rule authority with limited powers, has been facing an unprecedented hike in the prices of basic consumer products and services.
At the same time, the PA has utterly failed to rectify the crisis, forcing many citizens, especially young men, to seek opportunities abroad. Some Palestinian academics are worried that the economic crisis could eventually undermine the Palestinian people's ability to withstand the Israeli occupation.
Some Palestinian families are reacting to the economic crisis by marrying off their daughters at a younger age or by dropping their children from college. Others are forced to sell their real estate assets, including land and buildings to maintain a decent living.
The PA has a fluctuating annual budget of 3-3.8 billion dollars. However, a disproportionate share of this budget goes to the various security agencies, tasked with, maintaining security coordination with Israel.
It is widely believed that the amount of money the PA spends on the security agencies exceeds allocations for health, education, agriculture and several other ministries.
The PA defends the oblique allocation system, arguing that "these are the conditions and dictates of the donor countries, and we can't tell them 'No'."
Another problem contributing to deepening poverty among Palestinians is the rampant corruption permeating through the Palestinian administrative apparatus. It is believed that hundreds of millions of dollars are lost every year as a direct or indirect result of graft, bribery, nepotism, favoritism and cronyism.
The PA has made certain efforts to stem the tide of corruption. However, due to the fact that the PA regime lacks political sovereignty and has no real control over territory, its ability to fight the ghoul of corruption remains limited at best.
It is also believed that Israel is actively encouraging financial corruption among PA officials and operatives by facilitating shadowy business deals which would enable these operatives to make a lot of profits. Some Palestinian pundits are worried that Israel is likely to blackmail these Palestinians into paying a certain price in exchange for Israeli cooperation.
The financial crisis, coupled with the high cost of living, high inflation and unprecedented hike in basic consumer products are causing what looks like a social implosion.
And if we add this to the chronic political deadlock and the deteriorating security situation, chances of an uprising or intifada are real, according to many observers and political analysts.
The spokesman of a major political faction in the West Bank told this writer recently that "the question is no longer if the next uprising will happen but when it will."
"It is going to happen sooner than many people think."
27 nov 2013
UN special rapporteur Richard Falk called for urgent action to address the power crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip that has left 1.7 million of its residents in a dire situation. "The situation in Gaza is at a point of near catastrophe," the UN official, who was appointed by the UN human rights council to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, warned in a press release on Tuesday.
"The fuel shortage and power cuts have undermined an already precarious infrastructure, severely disrupting the provision of basic services, including health, water and sanitation. The onset of winter is certain to make things even worse," he warned further.
He underlined that only less than half of Gaza’s total power needs are met, which disrupts specialized health services, such as kidney dialysis, operating theatres, blood banks, intensive care units and incubators.
Falk also highlighted the plight of Gazan patients who are unable to seek affordable specialized medical treatment in Egypt as a result of its closure of the Rafah border crossing since the military coup.
"We must not forget that the underlying cause of a lack of adequate medical facilities and specialized care in Gaza is a consequence of Israel’s illegal blockade," Falk said.
He emphasized that, under the present conditions, Israel has a special responsibility under international humanitarian law to take whatever measures necessary to protect the civilian population of Gaza against this mounting threat to their wellbeing.
"The failure to do so would be an aggravated instance of collective punishment, which is unconditionally prohibited by the fourth Geneva convention," Falk cautioned.
"For the past two weeks, approximately 3,000 residents, including children, living in or near the Gazan neighborhood of Azzeitoun have been wading through raw sewage on the streets after the largest sewage treatment facility in the area overflowed due to a power failure," he stated.
He also noted that other sewage treatment stations may soon run out of fuel for generators, which will result in more sewage overflowing onto the streets of Gaza.
The human rights official expressed his belief that the main trigger for the latest humanitarian crises in Gaza is Egypt’s ongoing crackdown on the vast network of tunnels and fuel tanks near the southern border of Gaza, which were used by the Gazans to avoid some of the hardships associated with the Israeli blockade imposed since 2007.
"The fuel shortage and power cuts have undermined an already precarious infrastructure, severely disrupting the provision of basic services, including health, water and sanitation. The onset of winter is certain to make things even worse," he warned further.
He underlined that only less than half of Gaza’s total power needs are met, which disrupts specialized health services, such as kidney dialysis, operating theatres, blood banks, intensive care units and incubators.
Falk also highlighted the plight of Gazan patients who are unable to seek affordable specialized medical treatment in Egypt as a result of its closure of the Rafah border crossing since the military coup.
"We must not forget that the underlying cause of a lack of adequate medical facilities and specialized care in Gaza is a consequence of Israel’s illegal blockade," Falk said.
He emphasized that, under the present conditions, Israel has a special responsibility under international humanitarian law to take whatever measures necessary to protect the civilian population of Gaza against this mounting threat to their wellbeing.
"The failure to do so would be an aggravated instance of collective punishment, which is unconditionally prohibited by the fourth Geneva convention," Falk cautioned.
"For the past two weeks, approximately 3,000 residents, including children, living in or near the Gazan neighborhood of Azzeitoun have been wading through raw sewage on the streets after the largest sewage treatment facility in the area overflowed due to a power failure," he stated.
He also noted that other sewage treatment stations may soon run out of fuel for generators, which will result in more sewage overflowing onto the streets of Gaza.
The human rights official expressed his belief that the main trigger for the latest humanitarian crises in Gaza is Egypt’s ongoing crackdown on the vast network of tunnels and fuel tanks near the southern border of Gaza, which were used by the Gazans to avoid some of the hardships associated with the Israeli blockade imposed since 2007.
Member of Hamas's political bureau Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk expected the emergence of positive results soon ending the electricity and fuel crises in the Gaza Strip. "The government in Gaza has made every effort through contacting its friends and the concerned parties to contribute to solving the problem, and shortly positive results will come to the surface," Abu Marzouk stated on his facebook page.
"The power provided to the Strip by the Zionist entity could rise to additional 100 megawatts and there would be spare parts for the station that may increase its production ability to 100 other megawatts," the Hamas official said.
"Furthermore, understandings have taken place with the Palestinian Authority and Qatar via UNRWA to provide the Strip with its diesel needs," he added.
He noted that Qatar had sent fuel shipments in aid to Gaza a long time ago and the Egyptian authority only allowed in one third of this aid and the rest is still held in the Suez city by the Egyptian petroleum company.
The Hamas official affirmed that the decision taken lately by the de facto government of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to raise the price of the industrial diesel bought by the Gaza power plant also exacerbated the power crisis in the Strip.
"The power provided to the Strip by the Zionist entity could rise to additional 100 megawatts and there would be spare parts for the station that may increase its production ability to 100 other megawatts," the Hamas official said.
"Furthermore, understandings have taken place with the Palestinian Authority and Qatar via UNRWA to provide the Strip with its diesel needs," he added.
He noted that Qatar had sent fuel shipments in aid to Gaza a long time ago and the Egyptian authority only allowed in one third of this aid and the rest is still held in the Suez city by the Egyptian petroleum company.
The Hamas official affirmed that the decision taken lately by the de facto government of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to raise the price of the industrial diesel bought by the Gaza power plant also exacerbated the power crisis in the Strip.
26 nov 2013
MP Jamal al-Khudari, the head of the popular committee against the siege, called on United Nations and the European Union and Parliament to work for lifting Gaza siege and not to deal it as a de facto situation. In a press conference with Miles of Smiles Convoy at Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez) on Tuesday, al-Khudari stressed the need for an Arab, international and European intervention to end the power crisis in the besieged strip immediately.
Al-Khudari held the occupation fully responsible for the serious implications of its siege on Gaza, pointing out that thousands of Palestinians were using Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for traveling, however today they are humiliated and arrested while passing through it.
He stressed that Gaza crossings were established to facilitate the Palestinian people's movement and not for them to be arrested and humiliated.
The Israeli relemtless siege has caused power crisis, diesel fuel and cooking gas shortage in the strip, he added, stressing the Palestinian steadfastness to face Israeli restrictions.
He added unemployment rate has increased to 50 percent and poverty rate has doubled to 70% in Gaza Strip.
Al-Khudari held the occupation fully responsible for the serious implications of its siege on Gaza, pointing out that thousands of Palestinians were using Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for traveling, however today they are humiliated and arrested while passing through it.
He stressed that Gaza crossings were established to facilitate the Palestinian people's movement and not for them to be arrested and humiliated.
The Israeli relemtless siege has caused power crisis, diesel fuel and cooking gas shortage in the strip, he added, stressing the Palestinian steadfastness to face Israeli restrictions.
He added unemployment rate has increased to 50 percent and poverty rate has doubled to 70% in Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian industrialist from Gaza decided to temporary stop all his manufacturing, trade and import operations due to the continued power outages in Gaza districts and the fuel shortage. Gaza's only power plant closed on Friday 1 November due to lack of fuel needed for its operation. The exacerbation of the deficit in the energy needed by the residents has caused serious effects on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The Electricity Distribution Company in the Strip has been forced to extend the usual 8-10 hour a day power cuts to 12-18 hours a day. Gaza has only 6 hours of electricity a day, at best, which led to a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
This is to be added to the big shortage of fuel incoming to Gaza and its high price that has increased by 120% after the Egyptian authorities closed the tunnels that were supplying Egyptian fuel to Gaza at favorable price.
Dr. Yasser Al Wadia, representative of the independent Palestinian figures and head of Wadia Group of Companies, has instructed to temporary halt the work of his companies.
He explained that the repeated power outages for long hours and the lack of fuel have adversely affected the food items that are imported from international companies and from the 1948 territories, and which require refrigeration to protect them from damage.
The Electricity Distribution Company in the Strip has been forced to extend the usual 8-10 hour a day power cuts to 12-18 hours a day. Gaza has only 6 hours of electricity a day, at best, which led to a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
This is to be added to the big shortage of fuel incoming to Gaza and its high price that has increased by 120% after the Egyptian authorities closed the tunnels that were supplying Egyptian fuel to Gaza at favorable price.
Dr. Yasser Al Wadia, representative of the independent Palestinian figures and head of Wadia Group of Companies, has instructed to temporary halt the work of his companies.
He explained that the repeated power outages for long hours and the lack of fuel have adversely affected the food items that are imported from international companies and from the 1948 territories, and which require refrigeration to protect them from damage.
25 nov 2013
21 nov 2013
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) has stated in its report that 275 thousand Palestinians are unemployed in West Bank and Gaza Strip, using ILO standards. The number of unemployed was about 275 thousand in the 3rd quarter 2013: about 145 thousand in the West Bank and about 130 thousand in Gaza Strip, the report said.
The unemployment rate in Gaza Strip was 32.5% compared with 19.1% in the West Bank, and the unemployment rate for males in Palestine was 20.3% compared with 37.8% for females.
The report pointed out that the highest unemployment rates in the West Bank governorates was in al-Khalil with 22.3%, while in Gaza Strip, the highest unemployment rate was in Khan Younis with 35.8%.
According to the relaxed definition of unemployment in Palestine, the unemployment rate increased from 24.5% in the 2nd quarter 2013 to 27.1% in the 3rd quarter 2013.
The statistics revealed that the number of persons participating in the labour force in Palestine was about 1.161 million in the 3rd quarter 2013; about 761 thousand in the West Bank and about 400 thousand in Gaza Strip.
The average daily wage for waged employees in the West Bank was 88.3 NIS compared with 59.3 NIS in Gaza Strip, the report added.
In addition, the average weekly hours worked by waged employees in the West Bank was 44.2 per week in the 2nd quarter 2013 compared with 43.3 in the 3rd quarter 2013.
The number of employed persons from the West Bank in Israel and Israeli settlements increased from 96 thousand in the 2nd quarter 2013 to 103 thousand in the 3rd quarter 2013, while the number of employees in Israeli settlements remained at 20 thousand in the 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter 2013.
The unemployment rate in Gaza Strip was 32.5% compared with 19.1% in the West Bank, and the unemployment rate for males in Palestine was 20.3% compared with 37.8% for females.
The report pointed out that the highest unemployment rates in the West Bank governorates was in al-Khalil with 22.3%, while in Gaza Strip, the highest unemployment rate was in Khan Younis with 35.8%.
According to the relaxed definition of unemployment in Palestine, the unemployment rate increased from 24.5% in the 2nd quarter 2013 to 27.1% in the 3rd quarter 2013.
The statistics revealed that the number of persons participating in the labour force in Palestine was about 1.161 million in the 3rd quarter 2013; about 761 thousand in the West Bank and about 400 thousand in Gaza Strip.
The average daily wage for waged employees in the West Bank was 88.3 NIS compared with 59.3 NIS in Gaza Strip, the report added.
In addition, the average weekly hours worked by waged employees in the West Bank was 44.2 per week in the 2nd quarter 2013 compared with 43.3 in the 3rd quarter 2013.
The number of employed persons from the West Bank in Israel and Israeli settlements increased from 96 thousand in the 2nd quarter 2013 to 103 thousand in the 3rd quarter 2013, while the number of employees in Israeli settlements remained at 20 thousand in the 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter 2013.
18 nov 2013
IOA cuts off electricity to Jiftlik village in Jordan Valley
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) cut off the power supply to the impoverished Palestinian village Al-Jiftlik, located in the Jordan Valley, at the pretext of its residents' failure to pay the electricity bills. Local sources said that the Israeli electricity company claimed that the villagers failed to pay it $200,000 in arrears.
The sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the IOA denies the village many public services at the pretext of its location at a military zone, prevent its natives from earning their living properly and building homes, and control the use of their own lands and water sources.
The sources affirmed that the power cut-off is mainly aimed at stopping the farmers from using their well pumps to irrigate their cultivated lands and thus destroy the agricultural life in the village.
The sources noted that the presence of electricity debts is something normal in all Palestinian towns, especially in a village like Al-Jiftlik, whose people are deprived of their means of livelihood.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) cut off the power supply to the impoverished Palestinian village Al-Jiftlik, located in the Jordan Valley, at the pretext of its residents' failure to pay the electricity bills. Local sources said that the Israeli electricity company claimed that the villagers failed to pay it $200,000 in arrears.
The sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the IOA denies the village many public services at the pretext of its location at a military zone, prevent its natives from earning their living properly and building homes, and control the use of their own lands and water sources.
The sources affirmed that the power cut-off is mainly aimed at stopping the farmers from using their well pumps to irrigate their cultivated lands and thus destroy the agricultural life in the village.
The sources noted that the presence of electricity debts is something normal in all Palestinian towns, especially in a village like Al-Jiftlik, whose people are deprived of their means of livelihood.
Hamas leader, Salah Bardawil called on Monday the participants in the third Africa Arab summit, to be held on the nineteenth of November in Kuwit, to find all possible means to end the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. In a press statement on Monday, Bardawil explained that tens of children died in Gaza every day due to the lack of medical materials and electricity blackout, " people of Gaza live in complete darkness," he said.
" It is an Arab, African , Islamic, and humane cause , and all have a duty to support Palestinians," he said.
" It is an Arab, African , Islamic, and humane cause , and all have a duty to support Palestinians," he said.