24 February 2014
In an important new interview, Canadian activist and journalist Eva Bartlett analyzes the last several years in Gaza under Israel’s continuing blockade, a siege which is bolstered by the Egyptian military regime.
Bartlett and interviewer Justin Podur compare notes on entering Gaza and analyze the impact of Egypt’s military coup on the humanitarian situation, including the ability of Palestinians to travel through the Rafah crossing and the destruction of supply tunnels. “It’s virtually a complete lock-down by Egypt and by Israel, and even the tunnels now are inaccessible,” Bartlett remarks.
Bartlett describes the recent flooding crisis in Gaza as a direct result of Israel’s repeated bombing attacks on infrastructure over the last several years and the ongoing policy of prohibiting the import of construction materials with which to repair that infrastructure, like sewage treatment plants. She also analyzes the impact of the siege and military attacks on the economic viability of the Gaza export industry, and talks about the “psychological warfare” of the constant Israeli drone presence over Gaza’s skies.
Some of Bartlett’s photos are included in this video, showing attacks on fishing boats and agriculture, as well as daily life in Gaza, as part of a presentation she is currently giving on tour in the US and Canada. For more information on Bartlett’s tour, you can visit her website.
The Ossington Circle is a new interview show broadcasting out of Toronto, Canada, offering a progressive, thoughtful and informed take on international politics. Host Justin Podur is a writer on international politics and analysis, and the author of Haiti’s New Dictatorship: The Coup, the Earthquake and the UN Occupation. Recent episodes have featured architect Suzy Harris-Brandts with Decolonizing Architecture and Middle East journalist and analyst Jon Elmer.
