PA (Palestinian Authority) leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is setting a noble fundraising goal as he seeks to enlist the international community to rebuild Gaza following Operation Protective Edge. He is trying to raise $4 billion, the sum he feels that will be required to rehabilitate Gaza following the destruction caused by the IDF. Reports stated over 5,000 homes have to be rebuilt along with significant Gaza infrastructure.

That is not all however. The PA leader will be asking for an additional $4.5 billion to keep the PA government afloat until 2017, the Associated Press reports.

The PA in Ramallah and Gaza continue their policies of fiscal irresponsibility which is reflected in the lack of prudent government. It was realized during the warfare that donor nation funds infused into Gaza over recent years were used almost exclusively to develop Hamas’ military infrastructure. The picture regarding a balanced budget is not different in Ramallah, yet the international community seems to continue pumping additional funds into Ramallah’s operation without demanding accountability. Abu Mazen has become the international community’s rising star as the nations of the world step-up pressure on Israel to withdraw from portions of Eretz Yisrael to permit the establishment of the State of Palestine, the expected consequence to Israel’s support of the Oslo Agreements and the so-called ‘two-state solution’.

Since accepting the ceasefire that ended Operation Protective Edge, Israel has implemented leniencies in an effort to limit restrictions on Gaza’s civilian population. For the first time since 2007, Israel has issued 500 permits permitting Gazans to leave to visit Har Habayis on Sunday and Monday 11 and 12 Tishrei, which is observed by the Muslim community as the Feast of the Sacrifice. Israel has also permitted significantly more goods and supplies into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)