The Department of Human Rights and Civil Society of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Gaza Strip, in collaboration with the Dr. Haydar Abdul Shafi Center for Culture and Development in Gaza City, held a workshop today titled "The Economic Effects of the Continued Siege on Gaza and Ways of Confrontation."

This workshop is part of the activities of the "For Palestine" campaign launched by the Department of Human Rights and Civil Society of the organization last February to support and strengthen the Palestinian state's discourse in the United Nations for full membership in the United Nations, to end the Israeli occupation, establish an independent Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem, and hold Israel accountable for all its crimes against the Palestinian people, including the continuing blockade of Gaza, which is now in its seventeenth year, with its heavy consequences on all aspects of life in the Strip.

Mr. Mohsen Abu Ramadan, Director of the Dr. Haydar Abdul Shafi Center, discussed the right of peoples to development and control over their natural resources and wealth to achieve sustainable development.

Economic researcher Dr. Mazen Al-Ajla addressed the economic effects of the ongoing blockade on Gaza in his research paper, including the rising rates of unemployment and dire poverty, increasing rates of youth emigration, the stagnation of the national production cycle in the Strip, and the economic policies pursued in the sector, which have burdened citizens and made them unable to meet their basic needs.

Economic researcher Dr. Abdullah Abu Al-Hind emphasized the importance of resilient economy in enhancing the national economy in the face of economic dependence on the occupation, which hinders the development process.

In a speech by Mr. Qasim Awad, Director General of the Department of Human Rights and Civil Society of the Palestine Liberation Organization, he reviewed the objectives and activities of the "For Palestine" campaign, and the achievements it has made internationally, including organizing an international solidarity ship departing from Sweden next year to break the blockade imposed on Gaza, and the continued efforts to end the blockade on Gaza.

The attendees also stressed the need to end the blockade imposed on Gaza and agree on comprehensive national solutions to address the difficult economic conditions and situations in the sector, through various interventions in the workshop moderated by Dr. Samia Al-Ghaseen, the department's representative in the Gaza Strip.