In Bloom

For engagement parties and weddings, halls are often decorated with these elaborate flower arrangements. This flower shop across the road from my office has them on display every day. The flowers are sometimes real, sometimes fake. Not my taste!

Prior to the Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, the territory had a b(l)ooming flower industry. It is estimated that 40m flowers were exported each year before 2007, mostly carnations and tulips. After the closure was imposed, small farmers were forced to feed the flowers to their animals.

The Dutch government has negotiated with Israel for a small amount of carnations and strawberries to be allowed through the border, but this far from meets the needs of the people of the Gaza Strip.

Last summer, Hatem Khadeir, a flower and strawberry farmer, gave an account of the difficulties he faces in trying to export his produce. Sometimes, the paltry amount of produce he is allowed to export is ruined when it is left out in the sun during security checks.

There are many farmers like Hatem who are prevented from earning a decent living by the unjust effects of the closure of Gaza.