The Paradox of Perpetual 'Security Measures'
THE ACTORS: Who benefits from the closure regime? The Government of Israel: Maintains extensive control over all entry and exit points for goods and people to Gaza. Key ministries include the Ministry of Defense, responsible for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which oversees access policies. Israeli Agriculture & Industry: Restrictions on Gaza's exports,
particularly agricultural products and textiles, eliminate potential competition from Palestinian producers in both Israeli and international markets. This benefits Israeli firms by reducing available supply and preventing lower-cost alternatives. International Aid Organizations: While providing essential services, the sheer scale of the humanitarian dependency creates a massive aid economy. In
2022, international donors provided approximately $1.6 billion in assistance to Palestinians, much of which flows through channels approved and often facilitated by Israel. This system, while necessary, can inadvertently perpetuate the isolation by alleviating the immediate pressure on the Israeli government to ease restrictions. THE FUNDING: The economics of a siege Control over Gaza's Economy:
Israel collects customs and tax revenues on goods entering Gaza, which are then transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) under the Paris Protocol (1994). However, deductions and arbitrary delays by Israel for 'security' reasons often occur, restricting the PA's financial autonomy. Profits from 'Security' Infrastructure: The maintenance and technological upgrade of border infrastructure,