…Kan Svenne känna sig jävligt blåst.
In stark contrast to regular Western media reports of widespread deprivation and destitution in Gaza, Ashraf Abu al-Houl reported that ”a sense of absolute prosperity prevails, as manifested by the grand resorts along and near Gaza’s coast.”
Al-Houl also wrote that ”the sight of the merchandise and luxuries filling Gaza shops amazed me.” Not only that, but al-Houl quickly discovered that most goods can be bought in Gaza for much cheaper than in Egypt because in Gaza ”supply is much greater than demand.”
However, there is widespread poverty in Gaza, but it is the product of corruption and a wide gap between the ”haves” and ”have-nots.”
Al-Houl interviewed political activist Mustafa Ibrahim, who noted that around 20 percent of Gazans control nearly all the wealth in the territory, and nearly all of them are affiliated closely with the ruling Hamas movement. The wealthy Gazans invest heavily in the leisure industry and spend lavishly, while charging outrageous fees for basic luxuries like visiting local beaches.