An Open Letter to Federica Mogherini

Remember Gaza? It’s time to set it free

January 16, 2016

Federica Mogherini
High Representative of the 
 European Union for Foreign Affairs 
Vice President of the European Commission

Re: Your lack of meaningful assistance to Gaza

Ms. Mogherini:

I am very appreciative that the European Union, under your leadership, has begun to do what my own country will never do: Apply real, bottom-line pressure to Israel.

The most the U.S. administration has done is quip that Israel’s continuing expansion of settlements and use of disproportionate violence against Palestinians is “a matter of concern” or “isn’t helpful” — and any hint of going further is quickly retracted. (At the other extreme, our Congress members invite Israel’s widely hated prime minister to give them advice.)

I have long wondered why European leaders have let the United States drive international policy toward Israel, especially when it is obviously so biased. Now, finally, it appears the EU is ready to take a more leadership role. In recent days, I was pleasantly surprised to read the announcement that a new resolution to be published Monday at the conclusion of the monthly meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council reaffirms the decision to label settlement products — which some believe could lead to sanctions of some sort as these illegal towns and villages on Palestinian land persist and expand. The same resolution calls on Israel to prosecute settlers who use violence against Palestinians.

I also hear the European Union is considering demanding reimbursement from Israel for the demolition of buildings constructed with funds donated by the EU as part of its humanitarian aid. That’s encouraging!

However, you seem to be forgetting about Gaza — which is why the Euro-Mediterranean Monitor for Human Rights has launched a petition, with a goal of delivering 10,000 signatures or more, right to your desk.

We have just marked the completion of 10 years of Israeli control and blockade — increasingly augmented by Egypt, which opened its Rafah crossing with Gaza for just 20 days in 2015. More than a million Palestinians in Gaza are unable to make a living by freely fishing, farming and trading goods, or to leave for study abroad, medical care, work and family visits.

As you know, Israel imposed that blockade in response to the democratic election in which the Hamas party won a majority of parliamentary seats. Bear with me as I remind you of the consequences.

Of the 1.9 million population:
• 43% are unemployed (62% of youth and women — the highest rate in the world).
• 40% live below the poverty line.
• 60% are food insecure.
• 55% suffer from clinical depression.
• 40% receive water just 5–8 hours every 3 days due to insufficient power supply.

A few other sobering facts:
• Gaza’s per capita income is 32% lower than in 1994.
• Exports are fewer than 4% of their pre-blockade levels.
• The manufacturing sector has shrunk by 60%.
• Power is out 12–16 hours every day.
• 90–95% of the water is unfit for drinking.
• The waiting time for some surgeries at Gaza’s largest hospital is up to 18 months.

You and other EU officials seem to be stuck in a self-imposed time warp, still clinging to the belief this will all be reversed with a two-state “solution.” Honestly, though, that ceased to be anything but an illusion when the number of illegal settlers in the West Bank soared into the hundreds of thousands, and the collective efforts of the Israeli, U.S., European and Egyptian governments helped cement a permanent divide between the two main Palestinian parties, Hamas and Fatah. (If you haven’t read the Vanity Fair exposé that revealed the formative U.S. role in that debacle, you should.)

This is what I read about your draft resolution in the news: “The EU will consider further action to protect the viability of the two-state solution, which is constantly eroded by new facts on the ground.” The resolution reportedly backs France’s suggestion that an international “support group” be established to promote the perpetual peace process, and to convene an international peace conference designed to restart “regional, multi-sided negotiations between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab states.” Reading this makes me feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone TV episode called “The Hitchhiker,” in which a woman driving a car keeps seeing the same hitchhiker on the side of the road no matter where she goes. When will the politicians wake up to the reality that most activists know already? The two-state “solution” is no solution; it’s a fable that serves as a convenient excuse to keep kicking the can down the road.

So, then, what’s the quickest way to break the back of the blockade of Gaza? A functioning seaport. Re-opening Gaza’s seaport would provide a secure and dignified passageway to and from the outside world, free from dependence on the usually absent goodwill of Israel and Egypt.

Gaza City has a long history as a crossroads for regional trade and travel. However, since 1967, Israel has exercised full control of Gaza’s 43 km coastline and territorial waters, blocking ships from reaching the city. It is the only Mediterranean port closed to shipping as well as human traffic.

As part of the 1993 Oslo Accords, the governments of the Netherlands and France committed $42.8 million to the reconstruction of the seaport and to the training of port personnel. A Dutch-French consortium signed a construction contract in July 2000 with the Palestinian Authority. The work was scheduled to be completed by August 2002. The contractor began preparations to start work, but all construction activities were halted when the Second Intifada broke out in 2000.

In 2002, the Israeli navy attacked the Palestinian naval base and patrol boats in Gaza, causing extensive damage to the harbor. No further implementation of the project has been allowed since then. Local fishermen are routinely forced to turn back far short of the 12–24 nautical-mile mark for the best catches, and 10 activist attempts to sail in and break the blockade have been forcibly prevented from entering local waters (once killing nine passengers in the process).

However, with the required degree of political will, including the withdrawal of trade privileges if necessary, the European Union could, I believe, make a port a reality once again. In fact, a detailed plan already exists, including notes on what infrastructure is needed and how security could be handled (an international naval force).

The people of Gaza have suffered enough under the blockade, Federica. Stop holding out for the two-state myth and do something guaranteed to restore to the Palestinians some of the self-determination they’ve been denied for the last 10-plus years. Restore their seaport; it’s rightfully theirs.

I’m awaiting your response. Meanwhile, we’ll keep you updated on that petition.

Sincerely,

Pamela A. Bailey
International Secretary, 
 Euro-Med Monitor for Human Rights