From the Hanitizer (writing from his family’s home in Gaza).
Besieged residents of Gaza have developed a new appetite, their choice is Ramen Noodle with curry or vegetable flavoring.
Made in Saudi Arabia, and licensed by an Indonesian company, each Ramen Noodle pack costs one Israeli shekel (25 cents) each.
I know it as an inferior food product. College kids consume the most of it and come up with creative ways to tolerate this diet.
The Ramen Noodle’s brand name is Ando Mi and can be purchased in all grocery stores throughout the strip.
Other new changes that Gazans have developed is a taste for cheap tobacco, smuggled via tunnels, a pack of L&M and others brand names runs for 5 shekels, roughly a dollar and 25 cents. So you get the idea
everybody smokes in Gaza and I mean even non smokers smoke—a good deal is a good deal.
Pollution is everywhere, since the quality gas is not allowed into the Strip, the tunnel people smuggle crappy low grade Egyptian fuel that pollutes the air. Visibility in Gaza is a lot worse than years before, sort of like Egypt. I spoke to so many cab drivers who run their cars on cooking gas.
Recycle everything, new business are emerging in Gaza to recycle anything that Israeli bans from entering the narrow strip. They recycle metal, leather, plastic, glasses and even electronic equipments. The Gaza strip has a vintage feel to it, sot of like Cuba where even cars look more like junk and less like things that move.
Finding a nice pair of shoes, jeans ain’t exactly a joy ride, only the shittiest Egyptians goods make it to the Strip and the rest is banned.
Thanks to the tunnels, the Egyptian economy in border towns and beyond is booming.
Everybody in Gaza now works in one of five professions: they run a grocery store, own an internet café, teach, work for an NGO or drive a cab.
Driving a cab is right of passage for every Gazan. When you ask people what they do, they say, “I drive a mattress” meaning that I either sleep or do nothing.
Residents of Gaza now have a trendy new profession, cooking for the public. You can order trays of rice and chicken for anywhere between 30 to 50 shekels from people’s kitchens. People use those for special or social occasions. Those create jobs for few thousands of individuals. I must say they make good food.
My brothers run electronic stores, they sell fans, ovens, blenders, microwaves, TVs and vacuums… they never sold anything but Chinese goods, now the Egyptians are sending their goods and there are no
other options.
If you are shopping for good kitchen China, you are out of luck. Apparently Egyptians do not use them. Also, for the first time in my memory, Gazans buy Egyptians shirts — in the past my Egyptians relatives used to ask me to pick them few good shirts from Gaza.
No one is building or rebuilding anything in Gaza. Ruins from Israel’s assault and UN issued tents are all over the Strip. People simply cannot find cement to rebuild, even via the tunnels.
It’s really bad here.
The price of 50 KGs bag of cement used to be 20 Shekels, now people are willing to spend 220 Shekels and still cannot find sellers. I am being told that tunnels are only used to smuggle light weight things with high profit margin. Other causalities include car batteries and machinery.
There is food in Gaza, plenty of food, but not much beyond that.
People eat and not work. You end up with a population of frustrated, overweight, underemployed, otherwise capable, individuals.
Related posts:
- Gaza Bound Goats Busted In Rafah
- Mud Brick Gaza
- Gaza – Two days after the prison break
- ACTION ALERT: Stop the Blockade on Gaza
- Free Gaza Boat Leaves Cyprus for Gaza
Everybody in Gaza now works in one of five professions: they run a grocery store, own an internet café, teach, work for an NGO or drive a cab.
Isn't this applicable to most 3rd world, war-torn countries? lol though my uncle manages a bank there (yes there are banks) but my aunt is a teacher so she fits the stereotype
Posted by Lena | July 8, 2009, 4:31 pmThis is true Lena, but Gazans are being forced to live like this by an occupying power. There is no reason for things to be this bad in Gaza, its all externally enforced upon them.
Thats the problem.
Posted by Super Sayyin | July 9, 2009, 1:34 amThis is true Lena, but Gazans are being forced to live like this by continuing an unwinnable war. There is no reason for things to be this bad in Gaza, its all their own fault.
Thats the problem.
Posted by LyinSyin | July 10, 2009, 8:21 pmThere is no reason for things to be this bad in Gaza, its all their own fault.
That's a complete lie. The results of the 2006 legislative elections by district, as shown here, also prove that Hamas (the leading party in the "Change and Reform" bloc) won in the districts of Jerusalem, Tulkarem, Nablus, Salfit, Ramallah, and Hebron, all West Bank districts. Why not blockade and bombard the West Bank as well? The fact that Fatah lost the ensuing war for Gaza in 2007 but won the war in the West Bank has no bearing on the democratic will of the Palestinian civilian populations, who were merely caught in the middle of the party they elected to lead them (Hamas), and the party that the U.S. and Israel backed to usurp Hamas' democratically-won right to lead the PNA.
Israel's massacre on Gaza is not the Palestinian voters' fault, and all of this could have been avoided if the world had respected the Palestinians' right to elect who they wish to lead them, and treat Hamas as a partner for peace instead of having a complete disregard for the institution of democracy and a complete disrespect for Hamas as a political entity.
Posted by Nth Republic | July 10, 2009, 9:12 pmWhy not blockade and bombard the West Bank as well?
The rocket attacks were coming from Gaza.
The fact that Fatah lost the ensuing war for Gaza in 2007…
Hamas is a very cruel and violent group…
Gaza: Armed Palestinian Groups Commit Grave Crimes
Gaza: Hamas Should End Killings, Torture (Watch)
(Gaza City) – Hamas should end its attacks on political opponents and suspected collaborators in Gaza, which have killed at least 32 Palestinians and maimed several dozen more during and since the recent Israeli military offensive, Human Rights Watch said in a report
Hamas 'harming Gaza opponents'
At least 20 people had been killed since the end of last year, Amnesty International stated in a report based on testimony from inside Gaza.
Scores of others had been beaten and injured, the rights group said.
Many witnesses and victims are said to be too frightened to come forward.
But one victim told investigators how he had been taken from his home by masked men and shot in both legs.
Some of those killed are said to have been shot dead while receiving hospital treatment.
Under Cover of War
This 26-page report documents a pattern since late December 2008 of arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, maimings by shooting, and extrajudicial executions by alleged members of Hamas security forces. The report is based on interviews with victims and witnesses in Gaza and case reports by Palestinian human rights groups.
Posted by LyinSyin | July 10, 2009, 10:32 pm…democratic will of the Palestinian civilian populations, who were merely caught in the middle…
The completely innocent people who had nothing to do with the rocket attacks, helping Hamas, or glorifying martyrs? Get real.
Israel's massacre on Gaza is not the Palestinian voters' fault
No, it has nothing to do with voting, it has to do with rocket attacks. Are you aware that rockets were being fired from Gaza into Israel? Are you aware that it is not only illegal to do that, but it is an act of war?
all of this could have been avoided if the world had respected the Palestinians' right to elect who they wish to lead them
No, all of this could have been avoided if the Palestinians had stopped firing rockets. Hamas is not willing to be a partner for peace, haven't you been following the news at all?
Unfortunately for Hamas, they are not respected in the world…
List of Hamas suicide attacks
Hamas Fact Sheet
Peace? Hizbullah, Hamas Not Interested: German FM
Posted by LyinSyin | July 10, 2009, 10:34 pm"Martyrdom" has a more broad definition than you're affording it. In addition to meaning suicide bombers, any civilian who dies at the hands of the IDF is a martyr, as is any enlisted personnel of the Al-Qassam Brigades killed in action, whether his duty was indiscriminately firing rockets, which one might consider terrorism, or being an infantry soldier and fighting troops on the ground. Israelis honor their dead soldiers and those who died to terrorist attacks, as do Americans and everyone else in the world. This isn't unique to the people of Gaza. The culture around martyrdom is certainly different in Islam, however, and I'm probably not the most informed on this subject of the people here so I won't try to explain it in any more depth. If you're interested in actually understanding it further, impartial resources are just a google search away.
As far as the civilian population of Gaza and rocket attacks are concerned, it seems like when it suits you, Hamas is an "Islamofascist" organization that does what it wants and enforces strict codes on an unwilling population, but when you want to implicate the population of Gaza and/or all of Palestine, Hamas is a democratic political party with a military wing that listens to its constituents and bends to their will. What makes you think the people of Gaza have any bearing on Hamas' decision to fire or not fire Qassam rockets at Israel? I don't know how Gazans think, I just know they voted Hamas in because Fatah is corrupt and inept, and they wanted a change in leadership. To you, Hamas might be synonymous with "rockets", but to Palestinians, it's synonymous with "charity", "social programs", and "bureaucratic transparency". The people of Gaza want to work and continue on with their daily lives, while Hamas has political issues involving all the people of Palestine, including the millions living in refugee camps in surrounding countries, that it has to deal with. It's long been contended that the rocket firing is a Hamas "bargaining chip", as it doesn't have much, to bring to the table first with Fatah and then with Israel. Perhaps you should get down off your Steed of Piety, put away IsraelNationalNews for a bit, and start reading respectable media outlets with valuable columns and editorials. This isn't an argument for the rockets — I abhor indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets as well — but it's important to understand why they're being fired, and what Hamas is all about, because as an organization, they're not going anywhere.
Posted by Nth Republic | July 10, 2009, 11:51 pmSo nevermind all the arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, maimings by shooting, and extrajudicial executions – nevermind all the attacks on political opponents – nevermind the rockets that brought a terrible war onto the heads of the Palestinian people (those rocket attacks are just "bargaining chips" right?)
Do you deny that Hamas is an islamofascist organization? Do you think the people of Gaza would vote for Hamas again, if they could? What do you think about all the Hamas propaganda and incitement, good for peace and moving forward?
You do a lot of muddying the waters, but your defense of the "goodness" of Hamas falls flat.
Posted by eagle007blogger | July 23, 2009, 1:20 amSo nevermind all the arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, maimings by shooting, and extrajudicial executions – nevermind all the attacks on political opponents
Wait, are we talking about Hamas or Israel?
Seriously though, as for the the rockets that "brought the terrible war", history has shown that even when Palestinians are being docile and accepting of the occupation, the Israeli government continues to wall them off into civil and economic hardship, and expand into their territory. With that expansion comes Palestinian reactionary violence anyway. Gideon Levy wrote about this back in 2006, that Israel and the world would simply ignore the Palestinians if they weren't firing Qassams — and not "ignore" as in "leave them alone". You may find the "bargaining chip" rationale crude, heartless even, but it's nothing more than an explanation of a political motive behind the Qassams.
How can I deny or confirm that Hamas is an "Islamofascist" organization when such a term is a completely meaningless Western Neoconservative construct with obviously pejorative connotation? It's like asking me to confirm or deny someone "hates love". Hamas has an Islamic ideology, yes, and incorporates it into its government. Fascist? I think not. The party has proven itself willing and able to participate in and honor the democratic process, even if the U.S. and Israel aren't willing to honor its participation. Any citations of "maiming by shooting" or "extrajudicial executions" you can bring forth came about during the Hamas-Fatah conflict, when the U.S. and Israel were pumping money into Fatah to violently usurp Hamas' democratically-given right to lead to the PA. As of right now, Hamas allows Fatah members fair freedom of movement in Gaza, from what I've read. The same certainly cannot be said of Fatah allowing Hamas members freedom of movement, or any other types of freedom (for instance, freedom to stay alive) in the West Bank.
Would the people of Gaza vote for Hamas again if they could? I have no idea, I haven't seen any polls with questions of that nature, but if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say probably yes. Fatah is still seen as just as corrupt and inept as ever, and Hamas has been working hard with international aid organizations to rebuild Gaza as best it can. I think the people of Gaza have seen this, and they well recognize the true impasse in the peace process is coming from the Israeli camp, not from their elected Palestinian leadership (Hamas).
Now I have some reading material for you, since you're constantly battering us with links, and I read them every time despite suspecting I'll strongly disagree with whatever's written: Hamas Debates the Future (PDF)
Posted by Nth Republic | July 23, 2009, 3:48 pmSo nevermind all the arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, maimings by shooting, and extrajudicial executions – nevermind all the attacks on political opponents
Wait, are we talking about Hamas or Israel?
Seriously though, as for the the rockets that "brought the terrible war", history has shown that even when Palestinians are being docile and accepting of the occupation, the Israeli government continues to wall them off into civil and economic hardship, and expand into their territory. With that expansion comes Palestinian reactionary violence anyway. Gideon Levy wrote about this back in 2006, that Israel and the world would simply ignore the Palestinians if they weren't firing Qassams — and not "ignore" as in "leave them alone". You may find the "bargaining chip" rationale crude, heartless even, but it's nothing more than an explanation of a political motive behind the Qassams.
How can I deny or confirm that Hamas is an "Islamofascist" organization when such a term is a completely meaningless Western Neoconservative construct with obviously pejorative connotation? It's like asking me to confirm or deny someone "hates love". Hamas has an Islamic ideology, yes, and incorporates it into its government. Fascist? I think not. The party has proven itself willing and able to participate in and honor the democratic process, even if the U.S. and Israel aren't willing to honor its participation. Any citations of "maiming by shooting" or "extrajudicial executions" you can bring forth came about during the Hamas-Fatah conflict, when the U.S. and Israel were pumping money into Fatah to violently usurp Hamas' democratically-given right to lead to the PA. As of right now, Hamas allows Fatah members fair freedom of movement in Gaza, from what I've read. The same certainly cannot be said of Fatah allowing Hamas members freedom of movement, or any other types of freedom (for instance, freedom to stay alive) in the West Bank.
Would the people of Gaza vote for Hamas again if they could? I have no idea, I haven't seen any polls with questions of that nature, but if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say probably yes. Fatah is still seen as just as corrupt and inept as ever, and Hamas has been working hard with international aid organizations to rebuild Gaza as best it can. I think the people of Gaza have seen this, and they well recognize the true impasse in the peace process is coming from the Israeli camp, not from their elected Palestinian leadership (Hamas).
Now I have some reading material for you, since you're constantly battering us with links, and I read them every time despite suspecting I'll strongly disagree with whatever's written: Hamas Debates the Future (PDF)
Posted by Nth Republic | July 23, 2009, 3:48 pmIslamofascism is not a meaningless word. It demonstrates the similarities between neo-Islamic totalitarian movements and fascist movements.
The Hamas violence was not all commited during their war with Fatah, it continues, they are repressive.
Hamas has been working hard with international aid organizations
Dude, where have you been? Do you not remember all the reports about Hamas stealing AID intended for the needy?
Thanks for the link about "Palestine’s Islamic Resistance Movement Attempts to Reconcile Ideological Purity and Political Realism" Interesting Hamas propaganda by Khalid Amayreh. Have you ever read this? http://www.ptimes.org/Main/default.aspx?_ContentT…
Posted by eagle007blogger | August 2, 2009, 5:47 amIslamofascism is not a meaningless word. It demonstrates the similarities between neo-Islamic totalitarian movements and fascist movements.
The Hamas violence was not all commited during their war with Fatah, it continues, they are repressive.
Hamas has been working hard with international aid organizations
Dude, where have you been? Do you not remember all the reports about Hamas stealing AID intended for the needy?
Hamas raids aid trucks, sells supplies
U.N. agency says Hamas seized Gaza aid http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idU…
Hamas threatens aid groups in Gaza
Thanks for the link about "Palestine’s Islamic Resistance Movement Attempts to Reconcile Ideological Purity and Political Realism" Interesting Hamas propaganda by Khalid Amayreh. Have you ever read THIS?
Posted by eagle007blogger | August 2, 2009, 6:03 amHamas are evil – but according to you they are not responsible for the things they do, its all someone else s fault.
Posted by eagle007blogger | August 3, 2009, 12:22 amIs Hanitzer in Gaza now? How did he get in?
And this is like a crucial time for music review…amr diab and tamer hosny's albums have come out….PLEASE post something on this!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Lena | July 8, 2009, 4:42 pmHe went through Rafah, which was briefly opened recently.
He should be back and list-making we hope in two weeks.
Posted by KABOBfestWill | July 8, 2009, 5:57 pmI think the greatest thing about Hani being in Gaza is we may be spared any tamer hosny or amr diab posts for a while:-p
Posted by MohammadKF | July 8, 2009, 6:14 pmBut we're missing out on Nancy Ajram and Fares Karam, yeah?
Posted by Nth Republic | July 8, 2009, 8:19 pmI really don't think "missing out" and Nancy Ajram belong in the same sentence.
Posted by JillianKF | July 13, 2009, 12:27 pmI I think there are way BIGGER fish to fry in the Hanitizer's life right now than Amr Diab's new album, which is late this time around.
Summer can't start without the new Amr Diab CD . . . unfortunately, it's a year too late. I got a copy of it from my friend who just came from Cairo yesterday and it's good. The music sounds reminiscent of some older songs, but it's still a good album.
Haven't heard Mr. Unibrow's yet, but I'm sure the Hanitizer will be back to review it just as soon as he gets a chance, Lena.
Posted by Carlos | July 8, 2009, 8:48 pmGuys, I made a song popular in Gaza, I really did! I got an advanced copy of Najwa'a album Khalini Shofak…and I borught it in with me to Gaza and fired up the MP3 player! A week later, it arrived to Gaza. It's the summer song so far….The seige in Gaza is not letting anything in, I guess not everyone sees music as humanitarian goods as I do.
Posted by Hanitizer | July 9, 2009, 9:05 amIndoMie, not Ando Mi.
Posted by Snarla | July 8, 2009, 10:17 pmok well can i be a guest poster and make a comprehensive review of the early summer album releases PLEASEEEEEEE
Posted by LENA Dirbashi | July 9, 2009, 5:33 amLena, I give you my blessing for all it's worth. checkout http://www.mezosoft.com for latest albums http://www.myegy.com is also good
Posted by Hanitizer | July 9, 2009, 9:08 amTAMER HOSNI happens to have a unibrow but that nickname is so mean!! HIS new album is AMAZING especially the title son 'ha3eesh hayati' and the first song 'kol elil faat' both songs are better than any of amrs 'all disco' album……..(just a sample of my review!!)
Posted by Lena Dirbashi | July 9, 2009, 5:34 amLena,
Send your guest post to the email linked to "CONTACT" above..
Will
Posted by KABOBfestWill | July 9, 2009, 2:13 pmok i submitted….
Posted by Lena Dirbashi | July 14, 2009, 4:20 amLena
Your'e right . . . calling him Mr. Unibrow was a bit mean, considering that I'm a fan of his songs and some of his movies. I didn't mean it as an insult, just as a description. I was a unibrow myself back in the day. Sad, but true!
If I didn't like his songs, it would make more sense for me to call him that.
Posted by Carlos | July 9, 2009, 2:38 pmYou had a unibrow? Hahahaha
Posted by MohammadKF | July 9, 2009, 6:42 pmWhy are you deleting comments here?
Posted by eagle007blogger | August 3, 2009, 12:23 amty dear
Posted by عرب نار | November 17, 2009, 7:14 pmبنات سكس اكبر موقع سكس
Posted by بنات سكس | November 17, 2009, 7:15 pm