Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nBader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region. Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions. It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine. It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region. Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence. It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions. It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine. It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region. Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions. It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence. It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions. It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine. It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region. Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions. It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence. It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions. It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine. It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region. Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence. The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions. It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence. It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions. It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine. It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region. Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d. It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n