- Title: A new island in the Mediterranean...just off Gaza
- Date: 10th July 2017
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (JULY 10, 2017) (REUTERS) GAZA COAST PORT YOUTH ON BOAT WITH PALESTINIAN FLAG SEA JERUSALEM (JULY 10, 2017) (REUTERS) ISRAEL'S INTELLIGENCE AND TRANSPORT MINISTER, ISRAEL KATZ, ADDRESSING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAEL'S INTELLIGENCE AND TRANSPORT MINISTER, ISRAEL KATZ, SAYING: "We can't build a sea port in Gaza, on the coast of Gaza, but on the other hand, we don't want and we don't need to keep almost two million residents from Gaza to be closed because of the security problems. Because of that, I thought about it and I think that I found and find the only way to solve and to make better the very complicated situation."
- Embargoed: 24th July 2017 12:50
- Keywords: Israel Gaza Island Israel Katz Mediterranean Sea Hamas
- Location: UNKNOWN/JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: UNKNOWN/JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016P4V3NR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: At first glance the video looks like a promotion for a luxury offshore development, a Dubai Palm-style project on the Mediterranean. Then it becomes clear it's about Gaza and the future of the impoverished and fenced-in Palestinian enclave.
Israel's Intelligence and Transport Minister, Israel Katz, has long pushed the idea of an artificial island off the coast of the Gaza Strip, with plans for a port, cargo terminal and even an airport to boost the territory's economy and connect it to the world.
But now Katz has released a slick, high-production video setting out his proposal in more detail, complete with a dramatic, English-speaking narration, colourful graphics and stirring music.
"The artificial island initiative is aimed at providing an answer to a reality that is bad for the Palestinians and not good for Israel," says the narrator, acknowledging that the aim is in part to change the view that Israel is to blame for the deteriorating circumstances of Gaza's two million people. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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