Yet, during one period in mid-spring 1997, it was closed for a penod of 15 days. PCHR contends that this shift was primarily a result of a deliberate policy to inhibit or reverse economic development, creating a compliant market in the Occupied Territories Little investment has been permitted within the Palestinian areas over the years between 1967, the signing of Oslo and now. Israel has equally been able to prevent the movement of goods and work force from the Palestinian administered areas. As such, the development of a sustainable and healthy Palestinian economy has become almost impossible. I hope that the building of the Gaza harbour and the opening of its airport will allow Palestinians to move their goods.
Water is a precious and limited resource of the world over.
But it becornes more so in the dry and arid climate of the Middle East. Unfortunately for Palestinians and Israelis, water has become another 'chip' to be negotiated witlin the framework of Oslo. The main source of water in the region is the Jordan River basin, with its headwaters high in the Golan Heights and in Southern Lebanon. This river basin, along with numerous underground springs and surface water, provides this essential element for survival. Although the 1993 Declaration of Principles recognised Palestinian water rights, the terms were vague on who would control the water resources during the interim period.