Economic policies will bring more stable peace in Gaza
Op-ed: Israel should use economic initiatives in Gaza, that international community could only support, in order to turn the tide of hate against Israel for long-term peace with Gaza.
These military based solutions don't change the harsh reality of the region. Israel's security rests heavily on economics, and therefore we need to work harder to reach economic solutions.
In fact, there is a big chance that the main weight pressuring Hamas could come through monetary means. Reaching economic conclusions in the way that we so efficiently reach military ones, could produce a much more stable future, as long as they come along with the completion of Israel's demands to disarm Hamas and destroy the rockets and missiles in the Gaza Strip.
The current round of fighting against Hamas appears to sprung up, at least partly, because of the organization's desperate financial situation which has lead them to stop providing paychecks to some 40,000 government and military employees.
Before the current fighting erupted, Israel's intelligence apparatus was caught off guard by the Palestinian unity government between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Immediately following its implementation, it became clear what was motivating Hamas: A shortage of cash.
This isn't the first time that such an economic crisis has occurred in Gaza. Hamas implements an immediate solution to such distress by firing rockets at Israel to reverse the slow tide of defeat and change the political situation.
One of the previous economic crises in October 2008, lead to a drizzle of rockets that turned into a torrent, obligating Israel to begin Operation Cast Lead. The result of that military action was the flow of billions of dollars to Gaza intended for rehabilitation.
Iran, Hamas' main guardian, particularly on funding issues, has more than enough of its own economic problems at the moment due to sanctions and wide-spread monetary demands in Syria, Lebanon and the Iraq crisis leaving little for Palestinian partners.
Funds promised by Qatar haven't made it to Hamas because Egypt has prevented this deal. Even the reasonable income that Hamas once enjoyed from the "tax rates" on a wide variety of goods that were smuggled into Gaza from their tunnels in Sinai has almost completely stopped since the Egyptians managed to close most of them.
Today, Hamas is locked in a problematic trap economically. In light of their current financial difficulties, there is an opportunity to reach economic conclusions alongside Israel's usual military understandings.
Force Hamas to help Palestinians in Gaza
It's amazing how Hamas seemingly represents the Palestinian people while ignoring their basic needs and investing most of the funds that do reach them, to build an offensive military industry. That money could instead go toward creating legitimate economic infrastructure in Gaza.
Because Hamas refuses to take that path by its own initiative, it is time to put pressure on the organization that would force them to make several economic moves that no one in the world, not even in the Arab community, could oppose.
An independent electricity plan in the strip
Residents of the Gaza Strip mostly rely on electricity that comes from "the Zionist enemy" which is incomparably absurd. Within the frame of the economic goals, it's important that the money that will certainly arrive for the rehabilitation of Gaza, will be used, in part, to finance the creation of an independent power station in the Strip.
The responsibility for establishment of such a power station should be placed on Hamas with clear timetables to stand by and economic sanctions kept in reserve if the organization doesn't comply or drags its feet.
Desalination in Gaza
One of the most urgent problems in the Gaza Strip is the frequent shortages of drinking water. Gaza residents rely mostly on water sources that don't meet demand. Just as rehabilitation funds should be utilized for a power plant, the same policy should go into effect for a desalinizing plant to provide clean sea water.
Such a facility would provide all of Gaza with fresh drinking water - the most basic of all human needs.
Food factories
Residents in Gaza also suffer difficulties with food shortages. UNRWA provides some amount of food aid to civilians, but most of this critical asset is provided by Israel. Food production plants need to be created by enforcing the same policy of timetables and sanctions, to provide Gaza with a reliable food source with less reliance on Israel.
International inspection and economic sanctions
A plan that utilizes international inspection would serve to ensure the correct and responsible use of the money shipped to Gaza for rehabilitation. An objective presence in Gaza could inform the world if Hamas failed to stand by deadlines or if funds were used for improper purposes or even if they were do suspiciously disappear completely.
A failure by Hamas to stand by these terms would result in economic sanctions from the international community who financed the various projects in Gaza.
The projects - a solution acceptable to all parties
This system of ensuring funds in Gaza are properly used, and punishing Hamas if they aren't, ought to be completely acceptable to the western world as well as the Arab world, and should also be acceptable to Hamas as it will reduce Gaza's dependence on their enemy to provide electricity, water, food, and more.
Additionally, this process will reduce the flow of cash that could serve to renew Hamas' military arsenal as much of the money would go toward implementing the economic projects.
This policy will create job opportunities for Palestinians in Gaza and could lead to a complete turnaround in the economy of the battered territory. Such an economic transformation would cause far more Gazans to have an interest in keeping the peace than can be observed today.
Destruction of missiles in exchange for funds
Any deal with Hamas must include the demilitarization of Gaza in exchange for funding for the economic initiatives. That means, in effect, paying Palestinians to destroy Hamas' arsenal of rockets and missiles.
Under these terms, Israel can promise to give substantial financial support for the economic development of Gaza as well as the full opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt for the movement of passengers and goods - all this for the delivery of weapons to a team of international inspectors, similar to what was accomplished in Syria.
Meanwhile, Egypt is also short of money and will benefit from the opening of the Rafah crossings and the new economy of the Gaza Strip. There's a big chance that adopting an economic policy will bring peace and stability long before a policy of war.
