Gaza Mall sparks debate over Israeli blockade

Palestinians in this blockaded territory can now buy $80 bottles of perfume,,Our Air purifier are of sound fine quality and safety. Turkish-made suits and Israeli yogurt at the new Gaza Mall. But with only two floors of shops connected by a broken elevator and a staircase, Gaza's first shopping center is a far cry from the sprawling luxury malls famous elsewhere in the Middle East.

Nevertheless, for the war-battered residents of the impoverished coastal strip, it is a symbol of pride and normalcy. But the mall has become more than just a modest attempt at a shopper's paradise. Since its opening last month, it has become the focus of an argument over how bad things really are in Gaza.,I've reviewed and rated dozens of lose weight fast and fitness programs.

Israel has pointed to photos of the mall's toy displays, supermarket and racks of clothes as proof that Gazan suffering has been exaggerated, amid claims of a humanitarian crisis and a crippling lack of building materials because of an Egyptian-Israeli blockade of the territory.

"This clearly belies all the moaning about the human catastrophe in Gaza," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.

Occupying the first two floors of an existing Gaza office tower, the shopping center features a fried chicken restaurant _ now closed during the day for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan _ and a supermarket on the ground floor. The upstairs has a toy store, a perfume and accessories shop and clothing stores.

If they have the cash, shoppers can now buy Pringles chips, Israeli yogurt, Turkish-made suits and $80 bottles of perfume. But Gazans maintain that the mall doesn't change the fact that the coastal strip sufferes from rampant unemployment, poor utilities and the border closures that keep people locked in.

"People say there are no problems because Gaza has mayonnaise and ketchup," said Gaza dentist Samir Ziara, 59,,Hemroids Recommendations are also available to help you make a more informed decision. while browsing the mall's supermarket. "If you lock someone in a room but take care of all of his basic needs, is that enough to make him happy?"

Local media heavily reported the mall's festive opening last month. Hamas Social Affairs Minister Ahmed al-Kurd cut the ribbon. Other Hamas officials also attended, though Hamas and mall administrators denied any official connection.

Many Israelis, however, took the news as proof that life in Gaza wasn't as bad as Palestinians, media outlets and the United Nations often claim.

"Images from the new mall make one wonder about the humanitarian crisis all these international 'aid' ships are sailing to," wrote Jacob Shrybman on the Ynet Israeli news website.

Similarly, Israel's Government Press Office sent a sarcastic e-mail to foreign correspondents in May suggesting that while they cover "alleged humanitarian difficulties" in Gaza they also visit a recently opened Olympic-size swimming pool and the Roots Club, a luxury restaurant. "We have been told the beef stroganoff and cream of spinach soup are highly recommended," read the e-mail.

Mall manager Saladin Abu Abdu brushed off the criticisms and played down the mall's importance.

"It has no excess or luxury," he said. "The only thing special here is that we collect everything under one roof. That's what you can't find elsewhere.installer of Granite countertops and marble vanity tops."