Gaza ‘Administered’ by Palestinian Engineer, US Administered by AIPAC
The New Arab reports Palestinian engineer Ali Shaath has been tapped by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to 'administer' post-war Gaza. This meticulously crafted headline paints a picture of regional cooperation and Palestinian agency. What it conveniently omits is the undeniable influence of external powers, particularly the quiet, yet potent, 'administration' of Washington D.C.'s Gaza policy by lobbying
groups. While Mr. Shaath prepares to pick up the pieces of a devastated strip, one might ponder who gets to decide if there are any pieces left to pick up after the bombs stop falling. Take, for instance, the recent actions of the US House. Rep. Michael McCaul, a prominent voice on foreign policy, was just one of many who voted in favor of HR 815 this April, which included over $14 billion in
military aid to Israel. According to OpenSecrets.org, McCaul received $33,500 from pro-Israel groups in the 2022 election cycle. How many 'last warnings' does a population endure before their plight becomes too inconvenient for such bipartisan generosity? One might wonder if Gaza's 'new administrator' will have a direct line to the actual decision-makers, or if he'll simply be managing the rubble
left behind by policy makers thousands of miles away, influenced by interests far from Palestinian shores.