UN report outlines long-term effects of Israeli closure of Palestinian territories
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/14/2001

In stark contrast to the obvious direct economic impact of the closure of two Palestinian towns on the daily life of people, the longer term effects of the Israeli-imposed blockade are only now starting to emerge, according to the findings of a UN-commissioned survey released on Thursday.

"Increased occurrence of psychological problems both in children and adults as well as the possible early signs of malnutrition are but small indications that larger problems may await the Palestinian population if the crisis and closure continues," says a summary of the studies, which were conducted by the Norwegian research institute FAFO on behalf of the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East.

According to the studies, the closures of Palestinian territories have not had the intended effect, while their collective impact on the population raises questions about the closures' validity as a security tool. "Moreover, closure has not stopped violent action against settlers or Israelis, whether inside Israel or inside the occupied territory," the summary says. "Rather, periods of severe closure have often shown more violence."

The studies aimed to improve understanding of how the closure of Ariha (Jericho) and Gaza City, as well as the villages of Beit Furik and Rantis, impinges upon the economy and daily life of people, how they are affected by the closure and how they cope with the situation.

The studies found that the closures have had a "significant, negative effect" on the Palestinian economy and on the daily lives of average citizens.

The Palestinian Authority and other organizations, such as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), have been providing basic social services, the studies say. Palestinians have also resorted to coping mechanisms such as decreasing food consumption, reliance on credit and some emergency assistance and selling of assets.

The studies show, however, that those coping mechanisms are not sustainable over the medium- to long-term and make it increasingly hard for Palestinians to make ends meet.

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