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GUEST COMMENTARY - Once again, Israel finds itself as the victor in a war that leaves millions of indigenous people utterly defeated, unhoused, starved, medically deprived, helpless, and desperately in need of support. Israelis themselves are weary of the violence, but understandably angry by the attack on its people. In the past, Israel has chosen ever-increasing levels of retribution and control to maintain a chokehold on the people they have so soundly defeated. The harder Israel chokes, the greater the cries for Palestinian nationalism and the greater extremism by those seeking release from this choke.
Israel faces a stark choice: continue its historical response of tightened military and totalitarian control or facilitate the creation of a meaningful Palestinian society based on democratic principles that offers hope, dignity, and opportunity to the indigenous people. Gaza represents a profound opportunity to replace the failed policies of the past with a new, more enlightened path forward.
Some will argue that this has been tried and has failed. In 2005 Israel withdrew from Gaza unilaterally, removing approximately 9,000 settlers and Israeli military forces. Jewish settlements were dismantled, and the territory was placed under Palestinian control. Israel did, however, maintain control over Gaza’s airspace, coastline, and border crossings. Thus, Gazans had no control over their air travel, sea travel and movement of persons and goods into and out of Gaza.
Gaza’s only airport had been destroyed in 2001. Israel did not permit the opening of this or any replacement airport. These restrictions stopped most direct trade and tourism by air, which created an enormous impediment to doing business and bringing desperately needed jobs and capital. Palestinians were forced to travel to Jordan or Egypt for international flights, imposing long delays and unnecessary costs. Gaza also had no functioning seaport, and Israel refused to allow the construction of a seaport. Israel blocked all maritime access, and even fishing was limited to a narrow fishing zone. Israeli military prevented all ships from delivering goods or people. Border crossings were the sole remaining option. Gaza had three crossings. Israel heavily restricted the Erez crossing allowing mainly aid workers and journalists. Israel heavily restricted the Karni crossing and by 2007 completely closed this crossing. The Rafah crossing, controlled by Egypt with European Union monitoring (until 2007), was heavily restricted and used primarily for intermittent humanitarian reasons.
Israeli prevention of air, sea and land travel had a predictable effect on Gaza. Gaza unemployment soared from 35% in 2005 to 50% by 2007. Businesspeople faced untenable hurdles to conduct commerce. No foreign investment could accept the throttle placed on business and the very real risks of investment. Prior to 2005 the Gaza economy was linked to the Israeli economy. After withdrawal, these economies disengaged. Very quickly, imports and exports were virtually halted, factories closed for lack of raw materials and international investment fled the uncertainty.
Just as the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles and the economic turmoil of the Weimar Republic contributed substantially to the rise of Hitler, the economic malaise in Gaza fomented political discord. By 2006 the Palestinian Authority had lost credibility, and Hamas won an election to ascend to power. Once in power, Hamas remained the dominant political force through use of authoritarian tactics, despite multiple efforts of Gazans to remove or reform Hamas. The rise of Hamas mirrors the rise of other extremist political forces in response to outside oppression. If Israel returns to the failed policies of the past, a new Hamas will emerge, and violence will continue.
A four-pronged approach to rebuilding Gaza must occur.
- Economic Recovery. Gaza must be rebuilt as a powerful economic force that has independence in operation but cooperates with all regional political bodies, including Israel. Trade, infrastructure, and industry must be allowed to rebuild with stable supply sources and the political underpinnings necessary for successful economic development. Gaza must be rebuilt as an independent economic and political force that offers a life to those within Gaza. Gaza must have the ability to control its borders and offer the political security necessary for an independent economy to blossom. Having been the source of destruction, much of the economic burden of rebuilding rests with Israel. But assistance from the Middle East, Europe and America should reasonably be expected in this rebuilding process.
- Security. Gaza must demilitarize but still provide Gazans with security. All Hamas rockets and other means of attack must be removed. Hamas has refused to disarm, even after the staggering defeat it has suffered. A militarized Hamas cannot remain, though a path for non-violent, political expression of its members must be allowed. Gaza must have a domestic force for policing that is under civilian control. Having just suffered massive civilian casualties, the Palestinians have every reason to fear further Israeli violence. Instead of relying upon internal means to protect against future Israeli attack, Gazans must receive security assurance from important third parties, such as the United States, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Any future Israeli incursions must be met with physical resistance from military forces with the capacity and the will to stop the killing. Israel’s security concerns can be addressed by continuing to restrict the flow of persons between Israel and Gaza, until such time as confidence in the possibility of peaceful co-existence has been established.
- Political Stabilization. Gaza’s new government must rely on technocratic expertise and focus on recovery. Historically, Palestinian governance has been plagued by corruption and inefficiency. The internecine fighting that has long plagued Palestinian politics must be overcome. Palestinians need sufficient breathing room to formulate the underlying political consensus and opportunity necessary for resolution of political differences. This cannot happen under occupation and will likely lead to great conflict if allowed to be resolved without outside intervention. A caretaker government created by those countries participating in the rebuilding must be created. This government must emphasize technocrats over populists. This government must focus on economic development, democratic principles, and transparent governance.
- Humanitarian Response. The human crisis created through the conflict must be addressed immediately. Israel must immediately cease its policies of prohibiting desperately needed food, medicine, and other needed humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza. The international community must band together to address the suffering of civilians and Israel must cease interference.
A stable and peaceful Gaza that allows its 2.5 million residents to live in peace serves the interests of all parties. Whatever the investment required, the cost remains small relative to the cost of further war, violence, and death. Peace brings an enormous dividend for Israelis and the Palestinians. Perhaps most importantly, peace stops the Israeli – Palestinian race to the bottom, where never-ending cycles of violence has long been the policy for implementing and resisting Israeli settler colonialism.
Vague offers of a future state with future benefits have been a past recipe for failure. Efforts, such as the Oslo Accord, failed because ordinary Palestinians could not feel material changes that benefited their lives and Israeli leaders including Benjamin Netanyahu worked tirelessly to undermine the agreement. Here, just as in post WWII Europe, the impact of rebuilding and the benefits of peace must be felt immediately by the Palestinian people and Israel must support, rather than impede, this process.
Gaza offers the promise of a new start. Past hatreds and recriminations must give way to a commitment for the rewards of a civil society. Effort to humiliate the defeated must be replaced by a commitment to create a relationship of mutual respect and co-existence. While both civilian populations may resist this outcome, the political leaders in Israel, Palestine and the broader international community must find their inner strength to embrace the only real solution: peace through shared advancement.
(J. George Mansour was born and raised in Missouri and has long been a student of political science and international relations. Mr. Mansour is now based in Austin Texas, where he remains an active investor in a variety of businesses.)
