Praying with Their Eyes Closed: Reflections on the Disengagement from Gaza

Sara Roy, Harvard Middle East specialist, penned an article worth reading, despite its intimidating length, on Gaza's economic situation (hint: Palestinians "are currently experiencing the worst economic depression in modern history," she writes) and the recent "disengagement" plan.

She cites the plan itself to the effect that "it is clear that in the West Bank, there are areas which will be part of the State of Israel, including major Israeli population centers, cities, towns and villages, security areas and other places of special interest to Israel." In other words, whatever it feels like. It is clearly, then, an attempt to consolidate, and NOT to end the occupation, and one in which, according to Roy, "Israel seeks, and will no doubt secure, control over Palestine while ceding all responsibility for it." Real, live, breathing bantustanization.