What happens when 47 kids from Gaza try to get to music summer camp in the West Bank?

Posted on July 11, 2013
A sigh of relief. The children managed to travel from Gaza. (Photo: Gisha)

Some kids from Gaza wanted to go to music summer camp in the West Bank. We thought it would be simple. We were wrong. Continue reading →

Posted in Movement of people out of Gaza | 3 Comments

Mohammed Assaf’s not in Gaza anymore

Posted on July 1, 2013
Screen grab from Mohammed Assaf’s audition for Arab Idol

According to legend, in order to get to the Arab Idol auditions, Mohammed Assaf had to bribe border guards, climb a wall, and sing to hotel security. So how does he slip in so easily to Ramallah? Simple: he won the competition. Continue reading →

Posted in Movement of people out of Gaza | 3 Comments

Anywhere but here

Posted on June 19, 2013

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories arranges for Palestinians’ participation at a conference in Tel Aviv in order to “support the export of produce from Gaza”, while overseeing a policy that is responsible for crippling Gaza export Continue reading →

Posted in economic development, Movement of goods out of Gaza | 2 Comments

Gaza 2013: Snapshot

Posted on June 2, 2013

What is the cause of the electricity shortage in Gaza? Why are medicines lacking? What’s the fishing zone limit? How close can one approach to the border fence? Access issues in Gaza today in seven parts. Continue reading →

Posted in General | 9 Comments

The lost footnotes of COGAT’s latest report

Posted on April 25, 2013

A new report by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories is comprehensive, thorough and informative, but it tells only part of the story. Gisha conjures up the footnotes COGAT left out, which we hope will help convey a more nuanced picture of the situation. Continue reading →

Posted in economic development, Movement of goods into Gaza, Movement of goods out of Gaza, Movement of people into Gaza, Movement of people out of Gaza, Seperation Policy | 7 Comments

That amazing thing called “running”

Posted on April 22, 2013
Sari Bashi, Gisha Director

I am disappointed that Sanaa, Nader and their fellow runners did not run in Bethlehem yesterday, but I’m proud of the Israeli runners who supported their request. Continue reading →

Posted in Movement of people out of Gaza | 2 Comments

Only exceptional humanitarian cases? Actually no, not really

Posted on April 21, 2013

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced late last week that he would not allow Gaza runners to participate in today’s marathon in Bethlehem. The reason? “Entry by residents of Gaza into Israel is only allowed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Movement of people out of Gaza | 1 Comment

No going back

Posted on March 3, 2013
Gaza map

More than 600 residents of Gaza were unable to visit their relatives over the past week, go to conferences or buy merchandise. Why is this cause for concern? Because the decision to close the crossings in response to rocket fire signifies a return to a tactic that was supposed to have become obsolete years ago. Continue reading →

Posted in economic development, Movement of goods into Gaza, Movement of goods out of Gaza, Movement of people into Gaza, Movement of people out of Gaza | 4 Comments

Top security officials admit Israel’s policy prevents economic growth in Gaza

Posted on February 25, 2013
Queue at a Gaza gas station, 2011

Updates on the debate inside the security sector, the destruction of the Gaza-Egypt tunnels and the expansion of Kerem Shalom. Continue reading →

Posted in economic development, Movement of goods into Gaza, Movement of goods out of Gaza | 2 Comments

How and when the separation policy was conceived

Posted on February 24, 2013
Erez Crossing. Photo: Olly Lambert, Flickr. CC BY 2.0

A new essay reveals that the attempt to separate, or differentiate, between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank began well before the 2006 Palestinian Authority elections and before Hamas took over the Gaza Strip – eight years of a botched attempt to engineer Palestinian public opinion Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments