AT A conference in Cairo six months ago, international donors
pledged $3.5 billion (£2.5 billion) for the reconstruction of Gaza,
after the conflict between Israel, Hamas, and other Palestinian
groups. Only 26.8 per cent of the money has so far been
released.
This is one of the findings of a paper published this week by
the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), which
comprises 45 organisations including Christian Aid, Oxfam, and Save
the Children. AIDA said that "reconstruction and recovery have
barely begun, and people in Gaza remain in dire straits."
AIDA urges governments around the world to "make good on the
pledges made at the Cairo Conference, and move forward with
reconstruction and recovery projects for Gaza". Given the
devastation of the economy, "donor funding should wholly subsidise
construction materials, prioritising the most vulnerable."
The international agencies said that last summer's war was the
"third such major military operation in six years, further
complicating recovery for a civilian population sealed off by a
blockade, and separated economically, socially, and politically
from Palestinians in the West Bank." Aside from the shortfall in
promised financial donations, they said, "there has been no
accountability to address violations of international law."
The AIDA paper suggests "an achievable course of action that, if
implemented, could make significant progress in addressing the root
causes of the recurrent conflict, and towards the realisation of a
just, durable peace". The signatories outline what Israel, the
international community, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas must
do to end the conflict and ensure that Palestinians in Gaza can
realise their rights. The paper says: "It is time for these
[political] actors to work together effectively to change the
course for Gaza, before it is too late."
AIDA says that all parties should immediately resume
negotiations for a long-term ceasefire that addresses the need for
sustainable reconstruction, tackles the causes of the conflict, and
can deliver lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians.
Both the government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups,
including Hamas, must abide by international humanitarian and
human-rights law in the conduct of hostilities, it says; and the
international community must demand an end to violations of
international law, and push for greater accountability of all
parties.
The paper says that states should comply with their "third-state
responsibilities not to aid or assist rights violations with
respect to companies that contribute to such violations. This
should include, where appropriate, adopting clear guidance to
national companies, including state-owned companies, and pension
and investment funds . . . to ensure that they do not support
companies whose actions support violations of international
law."
Furthermore, Palestinian polit-ical actors "must prioritise
reconstruction as a humanitarian imperative. International donors
should work with the Palestinian Government of National Consensus
to take a holistic approach to reconstruction in Gaza."