Business
1st Gaza mall attracts thousands
Ali Waked
Published: 20.07.10, 16:24
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31. :: Dude - #21
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (07.20.10)
Now you are just showing your ignorance on the most basic of matters. ‘Dude’ whether you realize it or not but every society (including Gaza) has different ‘classes’ of people, some are rich, some are middle class and some are poor. You make silly statements like “Yet the poor starving Gazans somehow have the cash to shell out for designer brands” implying that all Gazans can afford designer brands. The reality of the matter is that this ‘luxury’ one story Shopping Mall is smaller than my local Department Store. Fair play to the Gazans for building it but this does not mean that Gaza is now a rich and prosperous area. Ynuts like you think that just because the Gazans manage to get one swimming pool, a small shopping mall and a few restaurants that they ‘living the life’. The truth of the matter is that Gaza is still besieged by Israel, as they have been for the last four years. The Gazans can barely live a normal life because of the Israeli blockade and total control over their imports/exports, airspace and coastal waters, etc. If it was not for the thriving Black Market and International Aid these people would be near starvation. As I have explained before Israel bars the import of construction materials for residential use but allows limited supplies for larger projects. Obvious you have no idea of the amount of control Israel has over the imports and exports in Gaza. Do you recognize sarcasm and cynicism when you see it? The simple truth is that the Gazans (and the Palestinians in the WB and E Jerusalem) could build lots more shopping malls, swimming pools, water treatment centers, sewage works, proper housing, etc, etc if only Israel would stop the occupation and leave they people in peace to run their own lives.
32. Now thats what I call a humanitarian crisis! lol
Wise Saba ,   Eretz Yisrael   (07.20.10)
33. #9 one POW captivity = 1000 civilian lives?
observer   (07.20.10)
34. a challenge for the envious unwary
observer   (07.20.10)
Israel dares not deliver a single bomb within the one Km perimeter of the Gaza's mall.
35. #23, really?
Danny   (07.20.10)
Where are the shopping malls in Darfur? Where were they in Cambodia under the Khemer Rouge? Where were they in Ethiopia during the famine? People compare Gaza to a concentration camp - please name one camp that had a mall and an olympic pool.
36. #24 Hey Girlfriend, let's do lunch!
Cynthia ,   USA   (07.20.10)
At Roots the Club. Where the food abundantly spills off the table and the ambience is far from early modern siege. I'll pass on the kitty litter coffee. Then we can check out the new shopping mall. Has Nordstrom and Pottery Barn gone in yet? Are Gazans ready for Abercrombie and Fitch? Stop for latte then hit the gold jewelry stores I hear so much about. I'm glad things are picking up for you. Imagine how good life could be if your leadership stopped terror and cooperated with Israel.
37. To 31 Matty part II
The Dude   (07.20.10)
"As I have explained before Israel bars the import of construction materials for residential use but allows limited supplies for larger projects. Obvious you have no idea of the amount of control Israel has over the imports and exports in Gaza. " You didn't answer the question at all. If this concrete and cement was needed so desperately why wasn't it used to re-build homes? Limited supplies for large projects? I think building a few dozen homes is a larger project than building a mall. " Obvious you have no idea of the amount of control Israel has over the imports and exports in Gaza. " Yes because instead of pressuring Egypt to open it's border with Rafah, everything has to go through Israel? Too much sarcasm and cynicism? "The simple truth is that the Gazans (and the Palestinians in the WB and E Jerusalem) could build lots more shopping malls, swimming pools, water treatment centers, sewage works, proper housing, etc, etc if only Israel would stop the occupation and leave they people in peace to run their own lives. " The point that you have missed in this, is that they already have the money and materials for this. Instead of spending on it weapons, tunnels, bunkers, propaganda, and so on. The fact is that the palestinians consistently haven't been using resources for what is needed. This mall is just a metaphor for it in general. Instead of using that concrete and cement to build a large apartment complex, they used it to build something they didn't need to 'defy' Israel. Good job, you have snubbed Israel well, continue to enjoy sleeping in a tent, you'll need it because it seems the devotion to fight Israel is more important than actually the real necessities of life.
38. #31, am impressed with the mental contortions
Danny   (07.20.10)
Gazans can barely live but Gaza has enough rich people for a large mall, olympic pool and top class restaurants? There are copious amounts of documentation showing full shops and large amounts of food. So the idea that the Gazans were ever anywhere near "starvation" is patently a lie. We know they live on International aid as the Palestinians have done since 1948 and are still the largest per capita recipients of international aid anywhere in the world. I would love to know how Israel controls the supply of cement once it enters Gaza. It has been on the record over and over again of Hamas stealing international but yet they refrain from stealing these items? The simple truth is that Israel left to the mm in 2005, the "blockade" didn't come into effect until 2007 and as soon as Israel left Gaza it got rockets. It is also a fact that the millisecond Israel even mumbles about cutting Gaza off from the Israeli side we hear shreaks of horror. So who is not leaving who in peace? It is a simple equation: No "resistance"= no funding = no Hamas. Just like in Lebanon.
39. #34, a certain bet for the future
Danny   (07.20.10)
Hamas uses the mall as a place to store weapons and fire rockets.
40. salma!
just want to comment ,   israel/usa   (07.20.10)
im just wondering if salma went to the mall or if she really is in 'palestine'?
41. Finally
Iranian Jew ,   LA   (07.20.10)
I guess after all these years we finally leaned to use media against the terrorist. If we claim that Gaza is not in need of supplies then we should show the world what we mean. Unfortunately Israelis have this attitude of "I don't give a Sh.." which the world clearly takes as arrogance. This hurts other Jews when they are trying to aid Israel. Show the world that Gaza does not need help and then you get Shalit freed. We must show that we are more humane that they are not vis versa.
42. Sorry, Matty: you can't have your cake & eat it too
L ,   Israel   (07.20.10)
Oh, the poor besieged Gazans! Oh, but (much to your and many peoples embarrassment) not ALL of them are quite as poor as we're duped into believing. So who is the rich "class" in Gaza? Perhaps employees of Hamas? They're tired of having to follow in the footsteps of Suha Arafat and take the jet to Paris for the Lacoste and perfumes, hm? Or perhaps there are many many more who are able to afford these items, as the article says, "all at affordable prices for local residents" so all the poverty-stricken Gazans can properly wear their Lacoste polos while wafting Chanel #5 and Armani through the bombed-out desperate streets through which they search for crumbs, (as the Israeli oppressor doesn't allow for more than crumb-size bread lest it be left to stale and be used as weaponry). After you finish eating up your cake, what will you have, Matty? READ the article again. See what Ali wrote. BTW, if you've looked at pictures in Palestine Today, and other ".pa" websites, etc you will see that life in the Gazan marketplace has been a bastion of choices all along, really and that many many have been buying in the same consumeristic manner of many other non-"seiged" countries.
43. Matty, yea, so what?
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (07.20.10)
Yea, so we ban most other building supplies. So what? Why not? There is a state of war in existence between Israel and Gaza, and if they are most welcome to deal with their import/export issues with their other neighbor: Egypt. Israel's boycott and border closures are perfectly legal under international law. Hamas policy of firing at Israeli civilians is not legal - in fact, it's a war crime. In fact, Hamas leaders are repeatedly on the record saying they will "never" make peace with Israel. The Hamas constitution officialy says Hamas opposes peace talks. So why should we be restocking our enemy? Read my lips: Go cry to Egypt if the Palestinians want building materials. It has nothing to do with Israel. If Hamas didn't want all those houses and buildings destroyed, maybe they should have told use they are willing to discuss peace. They didn't. Hamas has NEVER said it wants peace with Israel. We are not interested in their phony "calmings". Groves, go read the Hamas statements. They never even use the word "ceasefire", since such a concept is against their ideology, just like peace with Israel. Did you hear what we said? Go cry to Egypt? Let Hamas get their cement from the other ARAB MUSLIM country that is boycotting them. Stop shedding your crocodile tears on YNET....go do it on Al-Ahram.... you can even post talkbacks there!
44. the real question is...
mb   (07.20.10)
Is there a Starbucks?
45. Mazal Tov !
Yossef ,   חוץ לארץ   (07.20.10)
This is why we need to disengage completely from Gaza and let them make an independent state. And then we have to make business together. It is so clear !! It is a win-win solution.
46. live without consumerism MUST suck :D
buy buy ,   eu   (07.20.10)
47. :: ‘Dude’ - #37
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (07.20.10)
Are you deliberately trying to be ignorant? Israel allows a certain amount of building materials into Gaza if and only if it is used by international orgs for large projects ie: a Shopping Mall. I quote: “Israel will permit their entry into Gaza so as to facilitate construction projects in Gaza - authorized by the PA and implemented and monitored by the international community.” Why do you think everyday Gazans have been rebuilding their homes out of mud bricks as reported by Ynet/JP/etc? A small team of civilians from Gaza can build a house obviously if an international group/org is building a Shopping Mall it is a bigger project. Again I quote: “"Israel will not open the Rafah Crossing on the border with the Gaza Strip, and will not permit any passageway of Palestinians into Egypt until progress is made in securing the release of captured IDF Cpl. Gilad Schalit” - Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilna'i. Also the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of Gaza is managed by the Israel. Need I remind you that the Rafah Crossing is primarily for civilians and not cargo. To sum up: If Israel did not control every major cargo crossing going into Gaza, prevent every ship from reaching the Gaza coast and prevent all air travel to Gaza the Gazans could import and export what they wished. Now ‘Dude’ I will ask two very simple questions: Would the Gazans better themselves if they could import and export what they wish without Israeli control? If the Gazans could lead normal lives without Israeli oppression would they not spend less money on ‘weapons, tunnels, bunkers, propaganda, and so on’?
48. :: Danny - #38
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (07.20.10)
How can the Gazans be ‘starving’ if they have tunnels running into Egypt and a thriving Black Market? Well I guess that the Palestinians as a whole would be a hell of a lot better off without Israeli occupation wouldn’t they? Then they wouldn’t have to deal with Israeli roadblocks, curfews, demolitions, Israeli control over their crossing/airspace/coastal waters etc. Heck without Israeli occupation and oppression the Palestinians would be able to be independent wouldn’t they? Actually it is International Orgs/NGOs/etc that are responsible for the cement that Israel allows into Gaza - Hamas gets its cement from Egypt via the tunnels. You seem pretty good with dates so tell me when did the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land begin and when did it end?
49. :: ‘L’ - #42
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (07.20.10)
Actually the owners of the only soft drinks company (that wasn’t destroyed during Op Cast Lead) is doing quite well, you see when Israel reduced the ‘competition’ (ie: International Bands) the local market in Gaza had a monopoly on the ‘captive market’. Beyond the local business men who can only sell to this captive market you have the black market profiteers, tunnel operators, etc. All these people can get ‘rich’ in a oppressed society. Here is a very simple question for you: Please tell me the percentage of Gazans who are living below the poverty line and receive international aid (ie: food)? If you don’t know the stats off hand you can check out the CIA World Factbook, HR Orgs, UN, etc. Heck while you are at it can you explain why Israel barred the following items from being imported into Gaza for four years?: sewing machines and spare parts, blank A4 paper, musical instruments, Jam, sweets, toys, chocolate, flavor and smell enhancers, fabric (for clothing), newspapers.
50. :: Brian Cohen - #43
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (07.20.10)
Because, Brian, under international law, a belligerent occupying power cannot collectively punish a people for the crimes of a few. Do you really want me to post the references to international law (which Israel is bound by after it joined the UN) that dictate Israel’s responsibilities to the Palestinian People who are termed ‘protected people’ under Israel’s continuing occupation? Brian it is very, very simple: If Israel does not want to continue its onus under international law in regard to the Palestinian People then stop the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian People. Is Israel at ‘war’ with the civilians of Gaza? No. Is Israel at ‘war’ with the 800,000 children of Gaza? No. So tell me Brian why should Israel collectively punish these thousands of innocent children for the crimes of Hamas? Why should Israel deny them toys, sweets, crayons, paper, school books etc for four years? can you back up this claim with actual references to the appropriate citations of International Law(s)? Is your ‘enemy’ the entire population of Gaza?
51. Starving gazans
SM ,   UK   (07.20.10)
As gaza has one of the worlds highest rates of obesity, according to the United Nations own data, many gazans will no doubt make a beeline for the food court of this shopping centre. No roots or berries for them like people who really are starving in Africa and other disaster areas. Gazans are right at the front of the queue. Yes there's certainly more to this calorie laden strip than meets the eye. I hope the designers of this monument to western consumerism have taken into account the army of 'hefers' in gaza so they don't get jammed in the doors. No doubt the spineless journalists who've helped spread the lie about a people driven to the 'brink of starvation' by Israel will avoid the shopping centre as a back drop and look for a pile of rubble instead. Makes much better footage for the evening news.. And when they emerge from this temple to abundance they're guaranteed another feed from yes you've guessed it the united nations and other aid organisations cos 'they're starving'.
52. To 47
The Dude   (07.21.10)
"Israel allows a certain amount of building materials into Gaza if and only if it is used by international orgs for large projects ie: a Shopping Mall. " Your argument is not coherent, because once the building materials enter, Israel has no control over it. If anyone in Gaza was serious about this, they would shift its use to something more important. Or better yet why aren't they having these same international organizations be the groups that are doing the large building projects for housing? Instead of you know having them build a shopping mall... "Why do you think everyday Gazans have been rebuilding their homes out of mud bricks as reported by Ynet/JP/etc? " Considering the previous point, it makes nice propaganda photos. In regard to the Vilna'i quote, this is non-sense. This is something convenient for Hamas to blame on Israel. But in the end of the day there are only two groups that control the Rafah crossing, Egypt and Hamas. Israel has no control over it after EU observer fled to Israel. The only reason why this is still being closed is because Egypt has agreed to do this for Israel. In this case the closing of the Rafah crossing the responsibility of Egypt, not Israel. But I guess it inconveniences blaming Israel for closing all the crossings when the obvious is pointed out. "Also the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of Gaza is managed by the Israel. Need I remind you that the Rafah Crossing is primarily for civilians and not cargo. " Because you just can't drive a truck up to a few inspectors at Rafah and then have them pass through.... "Now ‘Dude’ I will ask two very simple questions: Would the Gazans better themselves if they could import and export what they wish without Israeli control? If the Gazans could lead normal lives without Israeli oppression would they not spend less money on ‘weapons, tunnels, bunkers, propaganda, and so on’? " Now 'Matty' I think I can answer both questions, by looking at the time right after Sept 22nd 2005, immediately after disengagement when Fatah was in control, there was no Israeli's within Gaza, and there was no blockade. (And note the Rafah crossing was open daily allowing free flow of everything as stated in the "United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: The Agreement on Movement and Access One Year On") This was the reaction http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3146445,00.html A barrage of 26 rockets, immediately when the palestinians could import/export whatever they wanted without Israeli control. They decided to export rockets. This then followed a year of rockets culminating into the election of Hamas. Please note AGAIN that during this time, there was no siege, free export/import with EU obvservers (not Israeli's), and unlimited investment from the int'l community. Also note that the Green houses that were donated to the Gazans as this time, were destroyed by said Gazans. Because its important to destroy a source of income. And so it seems a life without 'Israeli oppression' also causes a need for weapons, tunnels, bunkers, propaganda, and so on! So the answer on both accounts looking at a historical case where the palestinians were truly independent for that time with Israel only looking over, is NO. Because the problem is not independence, its this desire to destroy Israel. I hope you enjoyed the history lesson.
53. #48, on the topic of "Palestinian land"....
Jake ,   USA   (07.21.10)
"You seem pretty good with dates so tell me when did the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land begin and when did it end?" -- Matty You seem very concerned with the Israeli occupation of "Palestinian land". Tell me Matty, when was the country of Palestine founded, and since it doesn't exist today, who conquered it, and when?
54. ATTENTION flotilla organizers ATTENTION
Vangogh ,   Texas, USA   (07.21.10)
Send flat screen televisions!!!
55. I thought that everybody in Gaza lived in a tent
zionist forever   (07.21.10)
The Israel bashers abroad try to lead us to believe that everybody in Gaza lives in a tent and is starving to death because Israel won't let supplies into the area. Now we see they have enough to build 2 story air conditioned malls where men can buy fashionable clothes and women can buy perfume which I would have thought would be illegal by now as women have no virtually no rights any longer. Here was me thinking that the biggest luxury let enter Gaza was UN food aid. Before Cast Lead people had to do their shopping in open air markets and buy cheap clothing. Since Cast Lead people do their shopping in malls and their biggest worry is if there is an elevator or not and the shoppers have to take the stairs which must be an abuse of their human rights Hamas got elected on a platform that Fatah was the party of corruption whist they were honest. Now this honest party has found the funds & materials to build a mall in the upmarket part of Gaza... where of course any of the Hamas top brass stupid enough to live in Gaza will be living.
56. normalization
Lauren ,   Israel   (07.21.10)
How about an end to the cynicism and instead support the normalization of life in the Gaza Strip ? We need to encourage all peaceful initiatives for improving the lives of all people in the Middle East. This is good for the Palestinians. This is good for us in Israel.
57. WHEN A FLY FALLS INTO A CUP OF COFFEE
Johan ,   Botswana   (07.21.10)
The Italian - throws the cup, breaks it, and walks away in a fit of rage. The German - carefully washes the cup, sterilizes it and makes a new cup of coffee. The Frenchman - takes out the fly, and drinks the coffee. The Chinese - eats the fly and throws away the coffee. The Russian - Drinks the coffee with the fly, since it was extra with no charge. The Israeli - sells the coffee to the Frenchman, sells the fly to the Chinese, sells the cup to the Italian, drinks a cup of tea, and uses the extra money to invent a device that prevents flies from falling into coffee. The Palestinian - blames the Israeli for the fly falling into his coffee, protests the act of aggression to the UN, takes a loan from the European Union to buy a new cup of coffee, uses the money to purchase explosives and then blows up the coffee house where the Italian, the Frenchman, the Chinese, the German and the Russian are all trying to explain to the Israeli that he should give away his cup of tea to the Palestinian
58. Does it have a Hamashbir, Golf,
jason white ,   afula, israel   (07.21.10)
Shekem Electric or Halperin Opticians? Do they give discounts to I.D.F. soldiers in uniform?
59. # 30 can you imagine?!
Salma ,   Palestine   (07.21.10)
We love life, much more than you hate us . again, can you imagine?!
60. #36 Cynthia , It's just a Mall !
Salma ,   Palestine   (07.21.10)
It would be my pleasure to invite you to lunch, to celebrate together, on freedom of Palestine the land and the people. It's still too early !
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