Al-Rafati: We face the Israeli starvation policy through “economy of resistance”

October 7, 2013 by occupiedpalestine 0 Comments

[ PIC 07/10/2013 – 11:28 AM ]
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GAZA, (PIC)– Palestinian Minister of Economy in Gaza, Alaa Al-Rafati, stated that the current rate of needed materials entering through Karem crossing is only 30% due to the Israeli starvation policy practiced against the besieged strip.

During a conference held on Sunday, the minister said that the economic situation in the Gaza Strip was made extremely worse since July 30 as a result to tightening the Israeli siege imposed on the strip since 2007.

Al-Rafati pointed out that the Palestinian people managed to face the Israeli siege through inventing new ways including the tunnels that were the life line for the people of Gaza and helped in providing several important basic materials and building materials.

He also pointed out that the process of bringing basic materials through the tunnels still continues despite the recent Egyptian restrictions that resulted in the demolition of 250 tunnels between Egypt and Gaza.

Between 80% to 90% of the tunnels are inoperative due to the Egyptian recent campaign, he continued.

He said that the loss of the Palestinian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Gaza is estimated at $ 230 million per month, pointing out that the government’s operating budget is $ 260 million, while the operating expenses, including the employees’ salaries, are estimated at NIS 90 million.

Israeli authorities allow approximately 300 commercial trucks to enter per day through the Israeli border crossing Karem Abu Salem, while 800 trucks per day were allowed to enter into the strip in 2006, he explained.

Al-Rafati stated that the Palestinian people are used to dealing with the crises, saying that the Israeli occupation destroyed the Palestinian economy.

The Palestinian government in Gaza has started developing an “economy of resistance” to face the Israeli unfair siege and to activate the Palestinian economy, calling for promoting Palestinian products.