A crazy Israeli idea for Gaza
Israeli minister proposes building an artificial island off
the coast of Gaza
Israel's intelligence minister Israel Katz has released a
video showing plan.
Israel’s intelligence minister has released a video
illustrating his plan for an artificial island off the coast of Gaza, which he
says would help alleviate humanitarian suffering in the isolated enclave.
The plan calls for the island to be built in the
Mediterranean three miles off the coast of Gaza and connected to the strip by a
long bridge.
The island, which would itself be 2.5 miles long, would have
a port where passengers and cargo could be dropped off and then transported to
Gaza itself. It could potentially one day even have an airport.
Gaza has neither a shipping port nor an airport of its own
and its two million residents are almost entirely dependent supplies coming
through the land border with Israel.
The island would be three miles off the coast of Gaza
The project is the brainchild of Israel’s intelligence
minister, whose name is Yisrael Katz.
He has pushed for the idea for seven years, often facing
scepticism from other ministers, but claims now that the project is gaining
momentum.
Mr Katz presented the slick video to the Israeli cabinet
earlier this month and won the support of some of his colleagues but failed to
convince Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s defence minister, who remains
opposed.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, would have
the ultimate say but his position on the proposal is not known.
According to Mr Katz, the island would cost $5 billion
dollars, which would be raised from international donors, and would take five
years to construct.
Under his plan, the island would have a marina for
passengers and a port for cargo ships. Israel’s navy would patrol the
surrounding waters and Israeli forces would inspect everything that comes
through the island.
An international police force would have responsibility for
security on the island itself and would man a checkpoint in the bridge
connecting it to Gaza. A section of the bridge could be lifted to disconnect
the island from Gaza in the event of a security crisis.
The bridge could be raised in the event of a security crisis
Gaza has been controlled the Islamist militant group Hamas
since 2007, when Hamas forces took power and drove out the Western-backed
Palestinian Authority (PA).
Israel responded with a blockade on Gaza, which it says is
necessary for its own security. Critics argue that the blockade is a form of
collective punishment on the people of Gaza.
Mr Katz argues that the island would make it easier for
people and supplies to get in and out of Gaza, simultaneously easing
Palestinian suffering and reducing international criticism of Israel.
“He believes in it because he knows that if something isn’t
done in the end we’re going to face some sort of human catastrophe or another
round of war,” said Arye Shalicar, head of international affairs at the
intelligence ministry.
“Seven years ago almost everyone was against it but since
then we’ve had two rounds of war with Hamas. Many people who said, in politics
and in the security establishment, started understanding this might be a good
solution.”
Mr Katz is a senior figure in Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party and
says he plans to run for the leadership of the party when the prime minister
leaves office.
Mr Lieberman, the defence minister, remains a sceptic of the
island idea and argues that the project would be a reward for Hamas
“Hamas will say that thanks to its struggle it has received investments
worth billions and a new port in Gaza.”
Hamas have in the past opposed the idea, saying it was a way
of making the Israeli blockade permanent. Some sort of agreement with Hamas
would almost certainly be necessary for the idea to go ahead.
Author: Raf Sanchez
Author: Raf Sanchez
Reference:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/28/israeli-minister-proposes-building-artificial-island-coast-gaza/
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