Gaza, 21/11/2016--- Seeking to enhance freedom of expression and the right to get information from its independent source, Press House organized Face the Press Program on Al-Quds broadcast about the mechanism of reconstruction in Gaza, which is called (GRM)
The meeting was attended by Abdel Naser Abu Oun, head of broadcasters in Al-Quds- Osama Kuhail, leader of contractors- the journalist Mohammad Abu Jayyab, editing head of Al-Eqtesadeyaa Newspaper- Hamed Jad, economic expert in Ayyam Newspaper- and on phone Mofeed Al-Hasayna, the minister of public works and housing.
Osama Kuhail, leader of Palestinian contractors, said;" This agreement was made by Israel and presented by the Palestinian Authority. All sides accepted it before the end of the last aggression against Gaza, indicating that Israel is selecting who is to work and who is not in Gaza. After two years passed, reconstruction process reached only 16% according to statics of the international Bank.
Kuhail said that the (GRM) agreement was an experiment for 6 month, then an evaluation session would set for accepting it or rejecting it.
He added; " there's unjustified absence of the Palestinian authority, represented by the ministry of civil affairs, there has been no approval for new projects by Israel that has accused the civil affairs and claimed that it didn't receive any.
He said;" I can't see theprivate sector holding a great responsibility, but this mechanism was imposed to them by the Palestinian leadership."
He followed;" we are capable to cancel the system immediately, but what blocks us is the need for the municipalities project, water, sanitation, and winter needs. This is what makes us ready for anything."
He pointed that they met with the heads of 5 municipalities of Gaza Strip governorates. They have been informed that they would present a plan, by which we stop the mechanism. Upon this, they asked them to provide urgent project in order to afford amount of cement for GRM.
About their participation in Ain Sokhna Conference in Egypt; Kuhail said; " we received an invitation from Egypt entitled " Developing the Palestinian Economy", where we went with worksheets and were speakers not listeners in the conference."
He added; " there's a clear change in the Egyptian policy toward the Gaza Strip, and a Palestinian-Egyptian Committee to apply the recommendations. We have continued building the high committee and sent it to Egypt."
He continued," We are looking for an invitation from our Egyptian peers by the coming week for a discussion and commercial contracts as well as Rafah border Development to make it a commercial border. "
In his turn, Abu Jayyab, the editing head of Al-Eqtesadeya said that the danger of this agreement stands for the Palestinian approval, as it has been obviously an Israeli security tool since it was created.
Abu Jayyab mentioned;" For sorry, the Palestinian Authority approved on the agreement and became a main partner of it, noting that this mechanism was set for controlling and humiliating the private sector. It also contributed to creating a safe environment for corrupts, as well as being a tool of bribery, blackmailing.
Abu Jayyab said that the private sector takes the responsibility as it accepted it fom the beginning, stressing that there are strategic mistakes committee by them including not showing a clear attitude toward them.
He added that the private sector hasn't talked about anything before till a direct damage caused by this mechanism after two years from its signature, noting that 80% of the sector is affected due to the standards and conditions of the mechanism.
He followed; " As Palestinians, we don't have to lobby to change the agreement, we have to lobby to ending it forever, as financially there's 46% out of the allocated fund of reconstruction has reached Gaza, while only 16% has been accomplished according to the international bank report.
In his turn, Hamed Jad, expert of economic affairs of Al-Ayyam Newspaper, said that the private sector takes the responsibility of the consequences of the agreement, adding; " It's not logic that the conference asked to reject the mechanism."
Jad said;" the private sector has worsen this mechanism by not taking any practical attitude toward it. Although some companies and factories have closed, some have kept importing and committed to the agreement. There wasn't any strict attitude of rejecting the agreement."
He continued; " There's a difference between the private sector and what is being applied in reality.
He noted that there's no clear attitude till now regarding that economic relation with Egypt despite the meetings conducted lately, explaining that there are expectations about entering construction materials, but what pushes Israel or UN to edit the agreement?
Jad said;" I understand that the Gaza Strip is in need for this agreement within the lack of alternatives, but this doesn't mean to give up trying. Not only the private sector has to try, the Palestinian Authority knows very well that what is entered over the border isn't enough for the requirements of reconstruction.
On a call over phone, Mofeed Al-Hasayna, the minister of public works and housing, said; " We will not give up for the miserable reality the strip is facing and the people are suffering from, pointing out that 3000 tons of cement enter Gaza, while the need is amounted 6000 tons.
He confirmed that the ministers of the government are talking about this issue with all,and delegations to Gaza have been invited. He noted that the West bank condition is not better, as they are facing occupation and government.
Al-Hasayna revealed about participation of a Palestinian delegation at highest level represented by Ramy Al-Hamdallh, in a conference held in Jordan for supporting the issues of Palestine and reconstruction in Gaza.
He added; " During the conference which starts on Wednesday and ends on Friday, reconstruction in Gaza and other issues will be presented."
Al-Hasayna continued; " we will not sit idly by the suffering of all sectors, we didn't only deny or reject", noting that all ministers are devoting great efforts to alleviate the suffering of people."
