Rebuilding Gaza needs all of us
JVL Introduction
This thoughtful but pessimistic article about rebuilding Gaza does spell out some of the difficulties and calls for a new Marshall Plan – although this time without US involvement. It is certainly correct to remind us that this is a political as well as a huge practical issue. The writer seems, however, not to have taken sufficient recognition of the resilience and determination – and the knowledge and skills – of the people of Gaza and the practical support they are already getting, for example through Architects for Gaza.
The article reminds us of how, despite, restrictions on concrete entering the Strip, people recycled the damaged concrete to rebuild after the bombardments of 2014. There is much more to do this time it is true but the main obstacle will be if Israel is allowed to continue to place restrictions on Gaza and expect Hamas to have no involvment. That is surely the key political issue.
LL
This article was originally published by The Guardian on Fri 7 Feb 2025. Read the original here.
Rebuilding shattered Gaza may require a new Marshall plan
Palestinians face a mammoth task to rebuild homes and infrastructure – and Trump is unlikely to help
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Palestinians and the world may have to settle IN THE IMMEDIATE TERM for as much humanitarian and rebuilding effort in Gaza as can be negotiated / forced through against Israel’s (and America’s?) wishes.
In parallel to improving the immediate living circumstances of the Palestinians in Gaza, the embryo State of Palestine and the global community should try to establish full independent statehood for Palestine (on the UN agreed 1967 boundaries) within 5 years. I can’t see any other way of safeguarding Gaza unless this happens. Israel has repeatedly attacked the Palestinians, destroyed their property and blocked their development in the past; it’ll carry on doing this in the future unless stopped.
The power balance between Israel and Palestine has shifted a bit since Oct 2023 towards Palestine (though that suggestion might seem counter-intuitive). That shift may improve Palestine’s prospects.
The horrors of Israel’s conduct mean large numbers of people in western countries as well as in many other parts of the world now see Israel as a genocidal state, a practitioner of apartheid and a danger to all of its neighbours. Prior to 2023 these peoples had a more positive view of Israel.
Emigration from Israel is said to be unusually high. Israeli businesses are at a disadvantage. Israel’s credit ratings have slipped several times. There are also political, diplomatic and legal initiatives disadvantaging American and Israeli power. The world is frightened of what Trump may do, for example, and less willing to follow American “leadership”.
I agree – supremely hard
I agree entirely with Linda’s brilliant comments.
What Trump actually does next regarding Gaza, is a huge worry, he clearly believes that Gaza will make huge amounts of money for the US, I remember what they were doing to Cuba, turning it into a huge Las Vegas, a Casino magnate for wealthy gamblers around the world, until Castro fought back and they eventually left, then the US put Trade Sanctions in place and threatened any Country that traded with it, with sanctions.
We know about the Gas under Gaza, so that will be his first priority, selling it to EU Countries, that are suffering from an energy drought after the Nordstream Gas Pipelines were blown up. With the Palestinians completely moved out (he’s talking about them being relocated in Egypt and Jordan), they can move in with no chance of Palestinians upsetting their schedule.
Wonderful to see picture of University of Gaza. Why don’t we see images of Gaza before its destruction. Show the world what it was like before the Israeli destruction. Maybe people would be aghast at what Western leaders fully supported and facilitated and ask themselves WHY?