Gaza Greenhouses -

James Wolfensohn's anger over the Gaza greenhouses becomes more apparent. Asked about reports he would leave his post, Wolfensohn said he had not decided, but was considering it.‘I do not believe you can have a million starving Palestinians and have peace,’ he told Congress. AP report Y.Net
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributed $10 million to facilitate the transfer of the greenhouses.This was a unique grant, made quickly and quietly because we believed it was in the best interest of all parties and would enhance the peace process." said a spokesman.

Gates' charitable foundation, provided the bulk of the funds used to purchase the greenhouses from Gush Katif residents at rock-bottom prices, to be handed over to the Palestinian Authority (PA) says Forbes Magazine.

The Gates Foundation is stated to be for global health and has kept away from taking a side in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Until the Forbes report, confidentiality had been observed by all the parties involved.

Israel's excellent horticultural crops were grown in the advanced hi-tech Gush Katif greenhouses and Gush Katif farmers exported more than US$100 million of horticultural produce to Europe annually.

In a quick $14 million deal brokered by former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, the greenhouses were transferred to the Palestinian Authority. The PA then took responsibility for the facilities, but failed to protect them from looters. PA security personnel assigned to protect the greenhouses reportedly took part in the looting as well.

The greenhouses that survived are not being well used, as PA farmers complain that they are having trouble reproducing the bug-free produce grown by the greenhouses’ former Jewish owners. The US governmental development group USAID has been approached to hire back the expelled Israelis as consultants for the declining vegetable businesses.

FOOTNOTE

With the FAO terrific work had been done to the benefit of Territories under PA control (TUJPA) Jordan and Israel to use UN help in sterilising med fly males to control damge to crops. Resulting in greater yields, better crops and higher prices.

Surely this a case where the UK , Holland could rapidly provide expertise at negligible cost by seconding staff ? Urgent action is required before they simply get looted and destroyed ? Holland has provided specialist horticultural advice to DPRK with staff etc., previously.