A new convoy or flotilla of ships sailing to Gaza, the fifth since the Israeli navy intercepted the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara in 2010, is causing a bit of stir among local politicians and media. Since 2010, some elements of the closure Israel imposes on the Gaza Strip have changed. Israel now allows many civilian goods to enter Gaza, including limited, controlled amounts of construction materials. However, blanket restrictions on movement between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip remain. The separation between the two parts of the Palestinian territory and the forced split between residents living in the two areas because of that separation have serious implications that a flotilla cannot resolve.
Even after Israel began allowing some limited sale of Gaza-made and -produced goods in the West Bank and lifted some of the restrictions on travel between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the general rule guiding its actions is still separation between the two parts of the territory. Movement is the exception, not the rule. Though Israel clearly faces challenges in terms of security, there is no justification for such sweeping restrictions. It is not clear, for example, why during the holy month of Ramadan, Israel decided to allow limited family visits between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while prior to Ramadan, a Gaza resident who wanted to visit relatives had to wait for a first-degree relative’s wedding, funeral, or serious illness. In the same vein, it is not clear why a person can travel to the West Bank for a short-term training program, but cannot go there to study at a university.
Introduction
http://gisha.org/en-blog/2015/06/28/restricting-movement-dividing-a-people/
Full Report
http://gisha.org/UserFiles/File/publications/separating-land-separating-people/separating-land-separating-people-web-en.pdf
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