October 4, 2005

MECC/DSPR Gaza Area Secretary, Constantine Dabbagh shares with us news and concerns about the Israeli evacuation from the Gaza Strip. Constantine notes the people's joy after 38 years of "awful and terrible occupation." "This unilateral disengagement plan has succeeded in creating euphoria within the International Community with the claims that the Gaza Strip will come under the control of the Palestinian National Authority." What has really happened is "merely a redeployment of the Israeli forces imposing total siege and control of airspace, sea and borders. The Rafah International Crossing point with Egypt is blocked preventing passengers from returning home and others from departing for a variety of reasons, including medical treatment, studies, business and others" says Costa, "including myself who could not travel to attend several meetings. We are still in a big prison." However, communication within the area has improved. Centers located in the southern parts, namely Qararah and Rafah, are more accessible now. "Trainees and staff are able to reach their destinations without fear. All other health and educational activities organized in Gaza, including the ACT emergency relief assistance continue without disruption."

The benefits of redeployment are the removal of the check- points. These used to cut the Gaza Strip into several strips, causing harassment and difficulties to all. "The dismantling of the 21 colonies was no easy task, creating further harassment. These were built on expropriated Palestinian property (approximately 40% of the Gaza Strip) accommodating around 8,000 foreigners who exploited our land and water resources which are dire."

Highlighting the high poverty and unemployment rates in Gaza, respectively estimated to 75% and 65%, Costa expresses the population's wish that this step be part of a larger plan to end the occupation of Palestinian territories (1967), and to pave the road for a just and comprehensive settlement for the development and welfare of the population.

"The demolishing of houses of ‘poor' settlers caused tears. Their homes were built on Palestinian lands, the owners of which were uprooted and are still displaced in various districts, living under deplorable conditions, while settlers were offered favorable compensations, enabling them to move to new housing projects. Unfortunately, a good number of them were transferred to live within the colonies built in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem where Israel is expediting the completion of the apartheid wall and expanding colonies. This is basically to incorporate all of Jerusalem into Israel, and to keep Palestinians in isolated and well-controlled enclaves, preventing the establishment of any ‘viable' independent Palestinian State. This is fueling feeling of hopelessness and persistent anger among Palestinians and, unfortunately, destroying chances for a just peace, for forgiveness and reconciliation."

"Tens of thousands of our people went out to the streets to celebrate the evacuation of the Israeli army and the dismantling of colonies. Some have even gone through the wall built by Israel on the border with Egypt, to visit family members they had not seen for years, especially the young, aged 16-36 years who were not permitted by Israel to leave Gaza."

"There is no substitute for freedom and liberty and therefore the silence of the graves must end and Justice should be discovered" says Costa. "The International Community is called upon to apply "one standard," to request Israel to end the occupation in compliance with UN resolutions and International Law and to be in solidarity with the oppressed and the humiliated, in the interest of all."

"As a Palestinian Christian believing in "The Living Hope" I hope and pray to see myself, before my children and grandchildren, a glimmer of light at the end of the dark tunnel, so that the two peoples, created in the image of God, can live side by side and in confidence, as good neighbors, in two sovereign and independent states, as our families have coexisted before 1948 in this holy land. Amen." For more information, kindly contact Mr.Constantine Dabbagh at: necc@neccgaza.org.

Middle East Council of Churches