Gaza: The World's Largest Prison

Gaza is the world's largest prison. Home to over 1.5 million people 95% of which are under the age of 65.  Overpopulated, the Strip is greatly restricted by Israel (and the United States). Since Israel first enacted its policy to Gaza years ago, 100% of all textile factories were closed, which is part of the larger 96% of all factories  that were closed. The agriculture and fishing industry were almost completely destroyed, ruining tens of millions of dollars worth of food that would have been locally grown for families. 

All medicine that goes through Gaza is inspected. Israel constantly denies humanitarian aid to the strip and controls overwhelming majorities in Gaza's electricity and water production. Finally, all international funds going to humanitarian aid toward the Palestinian people is withheld by Israel unless it deems it appropriate. Israel even has control over Palestinian tax money in the West Bank (although the regulation is a bit easier there). 

It is clear that the territory has all the characteristics of a prison: Controlled hours when lights are on, confined (and in California's case) overcrowded rooms, controlled food and drinks, inspection on anything and everything that wants to come in and out. 

Actually with some reconsideration, Western prison is a better than what Gazans go through because they are at least guaranteed protection for their lives. Gaza is more of a Syrian, Egyptian, or Saudi jail.

Israeli leaders, such as the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (and most of his predecessors), have always said something to this effect: "In the name of security we must continue this policy!"

Recently Israel just extended its emergency law powers for another year which would have the policy implemented for over 63 years. Haaretz describes the law's effect as the following:

"It bestows upon the government broad powers that infringe on civil liberties. These include the power of administrative detention, seizure of land, arrest of infiltrators, and limitations on the rights of terror suspects. In Israel's improvisational style, numerous writs have been issued under emergency law guidelines for the monitoring of goods and services. In such case, the emergency law was used not because of any real concerns about state security, but rather for bureaucratic convenience."

These expansionist powers are no secret and have been used against the Palestinians for some time now. The policy toward Gaza by Israel and the United States aims to alienate Gaza's leadership: Hamas, a group deemed a terrorist organization by the United States, EU and Israel. 

The policy is not only impractical, it's deeply immoral. The effects of the policy make the policy itself immoral, and if you can't see that, then just wait for my second part on the Nature of Morality. It's impractical because the harder you make the lives of a people, the more extreme their views will become. With more extreme views people will inevitably turn to more extreme leaders. Let me frame it this way:

A household is deprived of water, food, electricity, and medicine; no one is allowed to leave the house to get a job or get any essentials. The family knows that their current state is because of the neighbors who have initiated the harsh imprisonment. As the family gets organized, two possible leaders come up, the first of which, declares that negotiations must go on and we must sit with the neighbors that are starving our children, while the second declares that they must continue the fight for their independance and right to a proper household. 

Which would you choose? It may be difficult to feel empathy for the Palestinians because you read this of some kind of electronic device, at home or at work. You may not be deprived of basic living essentials as they are, and until you are in their position, you may never understand why they choose the more violent rebellious leaders. 

This short TED Talk may help you better understand, please watch:

This is why such a policy is impractical to long term solutions. The lack of empathy alienates entire populations most noticeably... the two closest to each other: the Israelis and Palestinians. As a result, radical leaders will take radical results which has led to 60+ years of non-stop violence.  

In the name of security, Israel takes such extreme actions. I'm not saying that the Israeli concern about its security isn't warranted, but I'm saying that the actions aren't however, I think there is a more fundamental issue at hand so let's talk about that first.

Israel enacts such strict controls over Palestinian life (but especially Gazan life) because they do not approve of the last Palestinian elections where Hamas won significant numbers of spots in the government. Since then, much has happened and the split between Palestinians factions broke off, with Hamas controlling the Gaza Strip. In the last month, a unity government has been formed and will push for UN statehood recognition.

Rightfully or not, the Israelis don't like who the Palestinians elected to office. The fear of whom may be elected once democracy is established reminds me of the ongoing Arab uprisings, and specifically Egypt.

There was much (unnecessary) speculation that with Mubarak out, the Egyptians would elect a government that is unfriendly to the United States, Israel and their policies. That may be the case since elections haven't begun yet, however, the larger concern is this: Why are the rights of (literally) hundreds of millions of people predicated on who foreign governments approve of as "representatives" for their nations?

Why is their even discussion about helping suppress the inalienable rights of our fellow human beings because we won't like who they have a right to elect? Is this even moral? (rhetorical) Better yet, when is a system democratic when those "elected" are filtered by forces such as Israel and the United States (if not Iran and Saudi Arabia)?

This discussion seems to have been re-ignited recently over the military government in Egypt's decision to permanently open the border that has been long closed by the U.S.'s puppet Hosni Mubarak. It is the first effort by any country to improve the lives of the Gazans and bring an end to the world's largest prison; I applaud the decision.

Of course, the border isn't opened for everyone; men between the ages 18-64 are required to have visas to travel back and forth, but it is still an important step. The system aims to allow for the flow of people and the economic opportunities they bring, but takes measures to inspect and limit the shipment of weapons that could be used against Israel.

Perhaps I'm downplaying Hamas attacks against Israel; attacks that seem greatly overshadowed when Israel responds and kills 75% more people, however, Israeli policy thusfar is not serious about long-term change. Illegal settlements, manipulation of basic necessities, illegal and immoral acts that radicalize another generation will never be the answer to peace.

Yes, the Israeli state deserves peace of mind, but more importantly, the Palestinians deserve a state. It is our job as fellow human beings, to ensure that everyone has access to the basic universal freedoms that I do when I type on this blog but we must remember that there are no strings attached to such freedoms and it is none of our business to dictate what they decide to do with that democracy.

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