[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN GAZA MUST BE IMPROVED

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, since late January 2008, the 1.5 million 
people in Gaza have been enduring an Israeli-imposed blockade. The 
blockade effectively restricts the entry of food, clean water, fuel, 
and medical supplies. The lack of basic goods has severely deteriorated 
Gaza's health, social fabric, and economy.
  The World Bank reports that since Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza last 
June, 90 percent of businesses have shut down, costing workers more 
than 100,000 jobs. Due to the closure of Gaza's borders and its 
inability to import raw materials, farmers and businesses are unable to 
produce and export their goods leaving nearly half a million people 
without an income.
  I encourage the Bush Administration to do everything it possibly can 
to improve the economic livelihood of Gaza's population so that they do 
not become the tragic victims of Israel's national security policies. 
In particular, the Bush Administration should consider:
  Expanding the list of food items permissible for import into Gaza. 
Presently only twelve basic food items are allowed entry into Gaza and 
this does not include salt or cattle;
  Allowing entry of seed, seedlings, fertilizers, and chemicals 
necessary for farmers to continue growing basic goods for humanitarian 
needs and consumption;
  Permitting the entry of raw materials intended for use by private 
sector Gaza-based factories. More than 800 factories have been shut 
down in Gaza since the blockade, exacerbating its unemployment 
conditions;
  Extending, on an urgent basis, the reach of recently launched West 
Bank initiatives of the small loans and mortgage funding in order to 
provide micro-lending to small businesses and to stimulate peaceful 
economic activities;
  Encouraging, and allowing entry of, European and other foreign 
technical staff to enter Gaza and engage in assisting the private 
sector as well as non-governmental organizations in Gaza; and
  Permitting entry of construction materials into Gaza necessary for 
the completion of $300 million dollars worth of projects which have 
been suspended due to material shortages. These projects fall under the 
umbrella of international organizations including the United Nations 
Relief Works Agency, the United Nations Development Program, and the 
World Bank. The necessary materials can be earmarked for specific 
projects and their implementation can be supervised by these 
international organizations thereby avoiding improper usage.
  I urge the U.S. Administration to help end the humanitarian crisis in 
Gaza and ensure the health, safety, and security for Palestinians and 
Israelis.

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