From Gaza with Lulav, part 2

Posted on October 7, 2019

Ahead of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, several Israeli media outlets reported that tens of thousands of lulav holders (made of palm leaves and used in Jewish liturgy) produced in Gaza were cleared for exit from the Strip via Kerem … Continue reading →

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To the new Knesset members

Posted on October 3, 2019

Today members of Israel’s 22nd parliament, the Knesset, were sworn in. The Israeli parliamentary system has been more or less paralyzed for several months, and whether or not the possibility of a third election materializes, there are pressing matters to … Continue reading →

Posted in Human rights, scale of control, Seperation Policy | Leave a comment

The teenage runaway stranded in Gaza

Posted on September 25, 2019
Youth in Gaza. Photo by Asmaa Elkhaldi

The structural inequalities inherent to the occupation are manifest in Palestinians’ restricted access to family, livelihood, education and healthcare; but also in the freedom to dream, to learn, to make mistakes. For teenagers in Gaza and the West Bank, these … Continue reading →

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The illusion of disengagement

Posted on September 12, 2019
view of Gaza from the sea, 2019. Photo by Asmaa Elkhaldi

Around this time 14 years ago, Israel completed the removal of its military bases and Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip. Many believe that with the implementation of the ‘disengagement plan’, Israel unburdened itself of Gaza and no longer bears … Continue reading →

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Learning in shifts

Posted on September 4, 2019
New school year in Gaza. Photo by Asmaa Elkhaldi

About 600,000 children started a new school year in Gaza last week. It might sound like the start of an elementary math problem, but the fact is that 737 schools in the Strip operate out of only 523 structures. Two … Continue reading →

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Emigrating From Gaza to Our Death, With a Little Help From Israel

Posted on August 27, 2019
Gaza port, 2019. Photo: Asmaa Elkhaldi.

The residents of Gaza are tossed about by a constant sequence of shocks, the kind that have lowered our threshold of sensitivity to almost anything, no matter how much it hurts. This is life under a permanent sense of loss: … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Movement of people out of Gaza | Leave a comment

Israel dreams of transfer

Posted on August 21, 2019
Rafah Crossing, summer 2019. Photo by Asmaa Elkhaldi

On Monday, a senior Israeli government official told reporters covering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Ukraine that Israel has been promoting Palestinians’ “emigration” from Gaza. Airports within Israel have already been selected and talks with potential host countries have … Continue reading →

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Cookie crackdown continues

Posted on August 7, 2019
The Sarayo Al Wadia factory in Gaza. Photo by Asmaa Elkhaldi

In court, attorneys for the state claimed that, in theory, Israel it doesn’t oppose exit of processed foods manufactured in Gaza to markets in the West Bank and abroad. So why won’t it accept an application from a company trying … Continue reading →

Posted in economic development, General, Movement of goods out of Gaza | Leave a comment

Isn’t treating trauma a priority?

Posted on July 31, 2019
Illustrative photo, a girl on a beach in Gaza, July 2019. Photo by Asmaa Elkhaldi.

While most people tend to focus on the physical repercussions of the humanitarian situation and repeated Israeli military operations in Gaza, the unseen mental health consequences are just as grave. According to the United Nations, over 300,000 children in Gaza … Continue reading →

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Get Granny to the wedding

Posted on July 22, 2019
Erez crossing, 2017. Photo by Gisha

A 62-year-old resident of Gaza we’re calling B. has three daughters who have Israeli citizenship and live in Israel with their families. This summer B. received news that her granddaughter, who also lives in Israel, had gotten engaged. The wedding … Continue reading →

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