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 | De Vredessite / Nieuws 2005 |

 

De ontruiming van Gaza

Will the greenhouses survive the disengagement?

Jerusalem Times
August 7, 2005
From: This week in Israel... Behind the news with Gershon Baskin

One agreement that was nearly finalized between Israel, the PA and the Special envoy concerned the transference of the Israeli greenhouses to Palestinian hands. The Government of Israel had agreed to pay the greenhouse owners 80% of their value in compensation if they leave the greenhouses behind them. The US Government had agreed to pay the remaining 20% from USAID money pledged to the Palestinians. While the Palestinians openly voiced opposition to using their aid money for compensation to the settlers, an understanding was reached that would make it possible. However, Deputy Prime Minister, Shimon Peres in complete disregard to prior understandings, disclosed the deal to the press. The wide coverage in the Israeli and international media, also picked up in the Palestinian media, forced the Palestinians to completely reject the deal.

Now the settlers are dismantling and destroying the greenhouses and almost none of them will be turned over to the Palestinians. The donors will probably make new funds available for developing new agricultural projects in Gaza based on the success of the Gush Katif. Hi-tech greenhouses using the latest Israeli technologies range between $5,000 - $15,000 per dunam, depending on the type of crops grown. The economic enabling element of most importance in the Gush Katif agriculture is access to the markets already developed by Gush Katif farmers. A US consulting company that won a US Department of Agriculture contract to develop Palestinian agriculture is already working with various Israeli concerns in order to continue to have access to the Israeli markets. There is a chance that these markets could be maintained, but Palestinians will have to work quickly and ensure the same high quality of produce. The PA has established a company to manage and develop the assets of Gush Katif. The Palestinian agricultural cooperatives that already use advanced technologies and already export to Europe are patiently waiting to have an opportunity to get a piece of the action, but no one yet knows what will be the future of the land and any greenhouses left standing.

 
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