We asked the security establishment for information about the procedures for transit of goods from Gaza in the West Bank. Instead of procedures, we received a complex list of considerations. Surprisingly, none of them are related to security Continue reading
Seventeen years ago, the Knesset passed the Freedom of Information Act, obligating public authorities to be transparent in their operations. What seems self-evident is far from being a reality, especially when those who need the information are Palestinian Continue reading
In November 2014, Israel canceled the sweeping ban on sale of Gaza-made and grown goods in the West Bank. Against this backdrop, we gathered leading figures in five manufacturing sectors in Gaza in order to hear from them about the obstacles they face on the way to realizing their potential and about their hope for a better future. Continue reading
Once in a while decisions are made that manage to surprise even us. This time, the authorities decided that they can respond to requests to travel from Gaza whenever they feel like it, even long after the requests are no longer relevant Continue reading
Young surfers are a rare sight on Gaza’s long and beautiful coastline. One American organization hopes to change that and is sending Ibrahim Arafat from Gaza all the way to Hawaii to receive training on opening and running a community center for surfing. Six months later, Israel allows the surfer to exit Gaza. Continue reading
Last Saturday, a fisherman was killed off the coast of the Gaza Strip and two more were injured by fire from an Israeli naval ship. Although the official permitted fishing zone in Gaza is six miles, the fishermen claim that they are being shot at a distance of only four miles off the coast. Continue reading
A delegation of women invited to Europe to speak about the plight of women living in armed conflict was not able to travel because, as a result of the conflict, their request to exit Gaza was denied. The irony might have been appreciated if it weren’t so infuriating. Continue reading
It’s been six months since the end of a lengthy military operation that brought about an unprecedented number of casualties and caused massive devastation and trauma. You would expect the upcoming election to make some mention of it, wouldn’t you? Continue reading
Six months after Operation Protective Edge, Gaza’s reconstruction is advancing at an agonizingly slow pace, and access restrictions are crushing. In the spring of 2014, we began working on a new position paper, which has become more relevant than ever Continue reading
The last year was one of the most difficult that Palestinian residents of Gaza have seen. Were there also flickers of hope for a fundamental change to the closure policy? The year in summary. Continue reading
