‘Liberalisation’ fine print

Analysts say the devil will be in the details of what Israeli allows and what it prohibits AFP]

The announcement by Israel to modify its blockade policy comes after weeks and months of mounting international pressure on it to end its siege of the Gaza Strip.

Some say that is the only reason why Israel is doing this.

What is important is that Israel has decided to shift its policy from allowing items into Gaza to prohibiting items it deems dangerous from entering.

However, the devil will be in the details of what Israel prohibits and and what it allows. Will it be made public and will it be constantly changing?

The current system of allowing only dozens of items in was constantly criticised by groups that work in Gaza because the list keeps changing every week.

This is not an end to Israel’s siege of Gaza but an adjustment or modification.

The security cabinet said last week it was “a liberalisation of the system by which goods are delivered into Gaza”.

How this policy is implemented on the ground will determine its true impact in the coming weeks and months.

It should be noted that there is no mention of:

• Raw material being allowed into Gaza for the resumption of economic activity.
• Resumption of exports from Gaza of farm and factory products.
• Free movement of people that are not for medical emergencies like family reunifications, employment and education.
• Lifting of the naval restrictions on Gaza’s coastline.