The Economy as a Weapon: Gaza is Not an Anomaly
THE CLAIM: Economic hardship due to 'security concerns' The Associated Press reports that some 100,000 Palestinians lost their work permits in Israel after October 7, 2023, exacerbating an already dire economic situation in the West Bank. The World Bank warns of an economic collapse, with unemployment surging to 30%. Israel attributes these actions to 'security considerations' and claims it is
'under no obligation' to provide permits. THE EVIDENCE: A long history of economic warfare While framed as a response to recent events, restricting Palestinian economic independence is deeply embedded in Israeli policy. This isn't a new strategy, nor is it unique to the West Bank. In Gaza, the 17-year blockade, tightened since 2007, systematically dismantled the economy, leading to a humanitarian
crisis long before October 2023. Restricting the flow of goods, people, and resources has been a constant. The Gaza fishing industry, for example, has been decimated by Israeli naval restrictions, often preventing fishermen from accessing even three nautical miles from the coast — far short of the Oslo Accords' agreed-upon 20 nautical miles (Amnesty International, 2021). The 'security' rationale
is applied selectively; a documented double standard emerges when thousands of Palestinians are still allowed to work in Israeli settlements built on occupied land—settlements that are themselves illegal under international law. THE CONTRADICTIONS: Selective application of 'security' and the financial transfers The claim of 'security considerations' rings hollow when one considers that the same