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*Why Gaza matters in the annexation debate, a thread*
The proposed annexation of the West Bank is another step by Israel in a long process of fragmentation of Palestinian space and life, and with it the attempt to crush political aspirations for self-determination.
The proposed annexation of the West Bank is another step by Israel in a long process of fragmentation of Palestinian space and life, and with it the attempt to crush political aspirations for self-determination.
Annexation, a boldly illegal move, with repercussions for the safeguarding of legal norms globally, will obviously impact specific communities in the West Bank but what does it have to do with Gaza? https://tcf.org/content/commentary/global-problem-israeli-annexation/
In order to maintain control over land, without assuming responsibility for the people living on it, Israel has demographically engineered the Palestinian territory, including through restrictions on movement and family life.
One way it has done so is through a process of isolating Gaza from the West Bank over the last 25+ years. The Palestinian political split is the result of and reinforces this separation.
Movement restrictions across the territory prevent Palestinians from maintaining national institutions & other underpinnings of society (shared economy, academia, civil society, as well as social and cultural institutions like family, arts & sports). https://gisha.org/updates/10433
The name for this is the Separation Policy, which Israel says has ‘security-political goals.’ Even given legit security needs, restrictions are way too far-reaching to make any kind of credible argument that this is about security. Cookies anyone?? https://gisha.org/updates/10041
Pay attention: the more you neglect to talk about Gaza, or Palestinians living elsewhere, the more you contribute to the fragmentation that makes annexation possible. Don’t reinforce the isolation of Gaza by only talking about how this impacts the West Bank.
Protecting human rights, and chief among them the right to freedom of movement, is paramount, no matter what happens in the territory. It is a basic precondition for well-being & crucial to protecting rights dependent on movement, including the right to self-determination.
After the coronavirus pandemic, we can all better appreciate that movement is life itself. Look out for our report on the separation policy next week and future threads. Next time: Lessons from Gaza – What annexation of the WB could mean for its residents. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-will-the-coronavirus-make-you-empathize-with-us-gazans-1.8774867
