Today's Topics:
1. Greece, anarchist-federation.gr: The quarantine is leaving,
the repression remains (Athens Region) [machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. France, Union Communiste Libertaire - UCL Economy Working
Group: Towards a major crisis in agriculture ? (fr, it,
pt)[machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. Organização Anarquista Socialismo Libertário - Bauru CORU
CURU AMPLIA PRESENCE OF OASL IN THE INTERIOR (pt)
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
4. France, Union Communiste Libertaire UCL - Al #305-
Editorial: For our health, strike and right of withdrawal (fr,
it, pt)[machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
5. Czech, AFED: Evacuate Moria! -- Report from a graffiti event
in support of refugees imprisoned in the Greek islands [machine
translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
6. Canada, Collectif Emma Goldman - [Palestine] Interview on
containment at Halhul during the COVID-19 pandemic (fr, it,
pt)[machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
It seems that for the state, the days of quarantine cannot be left unexploited. Aiming at assimilating the phobic characteristics, but also
at the higher role of state management, they come to apply logics of zero tolerance and excessive repression. A few days ago in Agia
Paraskevi, yesterday in Kypseli. Matt and bulletins to hit anyone who was in their way. Probably the strict oral recommendation Hardalia for
traffic restriction, translates into open heads and arrests. ---- Hypocrisy and lies are put forward by humanoid glops in uniform. In the
straits of Kypseli, in a densely populated area, the chemicals from the tear gas are thrown at the service of the health of its inhabitants.
A health that is disturbed by those who were in Ag. Georgiou or took a walk in the area, but which is protected when the squares are filled
to the brim the day after tomorrow, occupying public spaces. We don't know, but logically the profit works as an antiseptic.
But the orgy of repression and violence will not pass them by, nor will it go unanswered. Let the state administrators and their puppets
know that we are not only not being intimidated, but that they will be boomeranged. We will not let the squares and public spaces become the
backyards of the shops and the opportunity of every boss to make a profit. And we will be there to defend it.
All in pl. Agios Georgios Kypselis at 7.00
https://www.anarchist-federation.gr/archives/2171
------------------------------
Message: 2
On the program of this economic bulletin at the time of the coronavirus: a focus on the crisis in agricultural production, a look at savings
through the case of booklet A, and an analysis on "economic patriotism". ---- In the last economic outlook, we mentioned the drop in
economic activity sector by sector. We reported a drop in activity of around 13% for agriculture. But for what reasons ? ---- Disrupted
global and local production chains ---- With the limitation of international trade and massive containment decisions in many countries,
globalized production chains have been affected: delivery delays, the absence of imported goods such as packaging, or even the absence of
international demand, as for agricultural raw materials (MPA) intended for animal feed (feed barley, corn) [1]have greatly weakened the
agricultural sector. We see the same thing in the French linen sector, where the textile processing industries (scutching) have been even
stopped for health reasons and where exports have slowed considerably. In the same way, the milk sector, which depends on 37 % of export,
viticulture or meat production are concerned. Thus, during the first month of confinement, exports of young live and French cattle to Spain
were reduced by a third.
Consequences of this lack of outlets: stocks accumulate on products where it is possible, occasionally causing infrastructure problems. But
above all, this drastically lowers prices: the price of milk and its derivatives for example (lean powder -28%, butter -26%) or the kilo of
beef which is currently trading for 1 euro less than its production cost. [2]
In the horticultural sector, the closure of florists has had a major impact on plant and flower producers. A telling illustration: for
thrush, which it is currently the season, it is estimated that 70% of the harvest could be lost, [3]which will obviously have a direct
impact on producers and probably for months / years to come, on seasonal jobs in horticulture.
Unforeseen changes in food consumption
The crisis has also brutally changed eating habits in France. [4]For basic necessities, during the first four weeks of confinement, the sale
of flour increased by 168%, that of sugar by 50% and that of eggs by 40%, according to the Nielsen Institute.
Regarding the milk sector, prepackaged products are selling well, but protected designation of origin products are in free fall, with 25 to
60% less demand. Beef is also experiencing contrasting trends: veal consumption drops from 30 to 35% while that of minced steaks increases
by 33% for fresh food and by 75% for frozen food. Overall, we can see that the most noble pieces, usually sold in restaurants, are neglected.
The closure of food places has consequences for the consumption of potatoes, which were mainly used for processing into fries. Stocks now
reach 600,000 tonnes. The brewery market also suffers from severe social constraints and the closure of cafes and restaurants. Kronenbourg
notably alerted to historic losses (-30 to 40%) in its 2020 financial year [5]which jeopardizes a whole section of the economy in the East.
Far from being anecdotal, this already has a direct impact on cereal producers, who largely destock malting barley on the animal feed
market, as feed barley. [6]
Cyclical weather uncertainties
Add to all this relatively poor weather conditions. In cereal production, the end of winter was difficult and the plants are not
sufficiently rooted enough. A large water deficit ensues, reinforced by the virtual absence of rains in April, which has helped to worry the
markets (on the buyer side) and to maintain the soft wheat prices [7]historically high, by maintaining fears over the decrease in the
quality of the next harvest and therefore on a possible tension in supply [8](less supply = high prices), even if other factors are taken
into account.
Over the last ten days in April, the return of the rain over the whole of France and over a good part of Europe "allayed a lot of fears" and
helped bring prices down somewhat, even if "doubts about 2020 yields" persist. [9]
Employment in the agricultural sector
The closure of the borders had several consequences. In particular, it blocked 50% of foreign seasonal workers in their countries,
jeopardizing the harvest of fruit and vegetables in France. [10]Several platforms, governmental ( https://mobilisationemploi.gouv.fr/ ), or
emanating from trade unions like the FNSEA ( https://desbraspourtonassiette.wizi.farm/ ) have been created for volunteers (280,000 people
registered) . In certain sectors, notably in the organic sector, volunteers flock, which has the direct consequence of limiting hiring, but
for workers who will not benefit from training; volunteers are simply assigned to picking. Farmers are still looking for between 70,000 to
80,000 qualified people per month. [11]
An expensive wheat
At the start of containment (around March 20), common wheat experienced a sharp increase (+ 12% in a little over a week), even though world
stocks are estimated at 4 and a half months of reserve [12](although it would seem that announcements from China in this area, which claims
to have around 150 Mt in stock, or just over half of world stocks, are questionable). [13]This sudden increase has been interpreted by
sector analysts as the result of precautionary purchases from importing countries, notably China and Morocco, [14]in the face of the
extension of confinement to an ever larger part of the world population and in the face of the protectionist policies of certain giants of
the sector, in particular Russia and Kazakhstan. [15]An article dated March 27 thus twice evokes the specter of the hunger riots that shook
certain countries after the 2008 crisis. [16]
The weather uncertainties already mentioned above helped to maintain a high price throughout the month of April (between 195 and 200 euros
per ton). In Europe, other more cyclical reasons have played a role: the trade war between the United States and China has apparently
transferred Chinese buyers to the European market [17] (increased demand = high prices), while in the United States, the trend is rather
down. Even if, once is not custom, the US market followed the European increase at the end of March. However, it seems to be in more
difficulty, with less demand (human and animal food) and a consequent delay in sowing. [18]
Over the last ten days of April, the return of the rain over the whole of France and over a good part of Europe "allayed many fears" and
helped to bring prices down somewhat. [19]But other factors, whether technical (closure of the month) or political (Russian decision to
suspend exports) have also tended to maintain short highs. Indeed, Russia "world's largest wheat exporter and one of the leading producers
and exporters of cereals in the world, will suspend its exports of wheat, rye, barley and maize until 1 stJuly." [20]This Russian movement
follows export restrictions announced in March-April, already mentioned above, which aim to ensure the stability of the national market in
the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Biofuels follow the price of oil
On the MPA market for energy (for biofuels), the crisis continues despite a slight rebound in recent days, the price of rapeseed and, to a
lesser extent, corn (rather in the USA) following the price of oil. "The market continues to question the state of demand in the medium term
while the end of the health crisis is still as vague." [21]
Savings and health crisis: the case of passbook A
The health crisis is not without consequences for individual savings behavior: we have observed a considerable increase in investments in
passbook A accounts in recent months: in March, 2.71 billion euros were deposited. However, the rate of return on the livret A has never
been so low since its creation in 1818, [22]since it pays 0.5%, against 0.75% in January 2020 and ... 2.25% in January 2013. [23]
How to explain that savings are so high there when it is an investment that has paid at a rate below inflation for years ? [24]In general,
the Livret A does not know many competitors who are much more advantageous for taking such a low risk. [25]And quite simply because
household confidence in the future of the economy has, not surprisingly, fallen sharply as a result of the crisis. They therefore fall back
on this investment, which is perceived as safe. Consequently, in the current economic climate, major expenses are deferred [26]and the
remaining income is therefore saved. This is obviously done at the expense of demand, which puts the economy in a delicate position, but we
can not blame people for keeping the little money they have on their passbook A in such unstable capitalism and irrational.
As a reminder, the passbook A rate is set by the State according to inflation and short-term interest rates that are in force between banks.
[27]But this rule is not entirely automatic: generally, it is the Governor of the Banque de France who recommends to the government and in
particular to the Minister of the Economy to modify the rate. However, the government rarely misses an opportunity to reduce it, because it
allows it to spend less money on social housing (which the livret A partly finances) and encourage small savers to switch to more affordable
products. risky, including investments in private companies.
It can thus partly discard, in the context of austerity policies, of its own role of stimulating the economy through public spending, by
forcing poor households (those who save the most on a livret A [28]) to take more risks. Since booklet A is used to finance social housing,
the government can invoke this noble motive to serve this much less noble objective. [29]The Minister of the Economy has also complained
about the influx of the last few months towards the Livret A booklet on the grounds that it did not finance the investment. [30]A fine way
to recall the inability of the bourgeois state to cushion the economic crisis we are going through...
Will economic patriotism save us ?
"Economic patriotism". This notion claimed by the RN as by the sovereignist left is taken up from time to time by Macron and his ministers.
It consists in claiming to favor French companies and their employees. It therefore underlies the idea of a convergence of interests between
employees and employers ; and the idea that the interests of workers in other countries may have to be sacrificed to protect ours. While our
fellow citizens are shocked by discovering the consequences of the industrial dependence of our country for products that have become
precious (masks, tests etc.), Macron displays not only a possible temporary nationalization of certain "strategic" companies but also
possible relocations of productions. What about the facts?
Nationalizations ? The gifts distributed by the billions to support the flagships of the CAC 40 have not caused any rise by the State in the
capital of the companies concerned. However, with the collapse of their share prices, the opportunity for massive redemptions presented
itself. As for the relocations of production, nothing concrete appears and bourgeois economists dissertate on a different concept: the
approximation of relocations. Clearly, if it is necessary to leave from countries at low cost, it is to install the productions in countries
less demanding politically than China and whose costs can even be lower and the governments more obedient: Eastern Europe, the southern
Mediterranean. But not the national territory as it is true that the law of the market makes the law !
Foreign investment control ? The State supervises and can stop non-European investors (private funds or sovereign funds [31]) who want to
invest in a French company [32]beyond 25% stake. Macron not only lowers the control bar to an equity stake of 10%, but he notoriously widens
the list of sectors concerned by this control, including biotechnology.
Simple conclusion: There is patriotism only for the benefit of the holders of French capital. For workers, unemployment can soar ! At UCL,
our strategic axis is based on the idea of local production autonomy, [33]self-management, within the framework of a federalism putting an
end to competition between workers organized by multinationals in the context of globalization. liberal.
This note was produced by the Economic Working Group of UCL, aiming to synthesize essential data on the economic situation that we are going
through with the coronavirus crisis. It has evolved in the form of a newsletter, structured in several articles of various sizes. It is as
sourced and factual as possible, and aims to link the main data on the economic situation with more general political and social analyzes.
However, it was carried out by activists who are not economic professionals. Do not hesitate to make any constructive feedback.
You can view the previous note here .
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[1] https://www.agri-mutuel.com/cotations/mais/ & https://www.agri-mutuel.com/cotations/orge-de-printemps/ weekly analyzes, pages may have
changed between time (last visited on 1 stMay evening)
[2] https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Economie/Coronavirus-La-grande-destabilisation-du-monde-agricole-1683041
[3] https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Economie/Muguet-les-maraichers-nantais-crainent-le-pire-1682827
[4] https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Economie/Coronavirus-La-grande-destabilisation-du-monde-agricole-1683041
[5] https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/biere-le-confinement-risque-de-plomber-les-ventes-avertit-kronenbourg-1368787
[6] https://www.agri-mutuel.com/cotations/orge-de-printemps/ weekly analysis already cited
[7] . Main valuation value on the agricultural financial markets, because the majority in volumes + important data since it is the most
consumed cereal, for the preparation of bread and pasta in particular
[8] https://www.agritechtrade.com/actualites/matieres-premieres/le-prix-du-ble-sous-pression-en-europe-soit-a-loppose-des-etats-unis
[9] https://www.agri-mutuel.com/cotations/ble-tendre/ analyzed weekly, visited for the last time on 1 stMay evening
[10] https://actu.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/marmande_47157/agriculture-emplois-saisonniers-etrangers-font-peser-danger_33331072.html
[11]
https://www.terre-net.fr/actualite-agricole/politique-syndicalisme/article/coronavirus-mesures-urgence-didier-guillaume-reconnait-une-deception-vis-a-vis-de-l
-ue-205-168425.html
[12]
https://www.agritechtrade.com/actualites/matieres-premieres/avec-le-covid-19-vers-une-une-reduction-de-loffre-et-une-hausse-des-cours-du-ble
[13] Jean-Pierre BORIS, Traders, true masters of the world: survey of the raw materials market, Tallandier, 2017, p.41.
[14]
https://www.agritechtrade.com/actualites/matieres-premieres/avec-le-covid-19-vers-une-une-reduction-de-loffre-et-une-hausse-des-cours-du-ble
and https://www.reussir.fr/grandes-cultures/les-exportations-francaises-de-ble-tendre-parties-pour-un-record-historical
[15]
https://www.agritechtrade.com/actualites/matieres-premieres/avec-le-covid-19-vers-une-une-reduction-de-loffre-et-une-hausse-des-cours-du-ble
[16] Ibid
[17] https://www.agritechtrade.com/actualites/matieres-premieres/le-prix-du-ble-sous-pression-en-europe-soit-a-loppose-des-etats-unis
[18] https://www.agri-mutuel.com/cotations/ble-tendre/
[19] Ibid.
[20] https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/la-russie-suspend-ses-exportations-de-cereales-jusqu-au-1er-juillet-1901904.html
[21] https://www.agri-mutuel.com/cotations/colza/ weekly analysis, visited for the last time on 1 stMay evening
[22] https://www.lemonde.fr/argent/article/2020/02/17/quelles-alternatives-au-livret-a_6029808_1657007.html
[23]
https://www.lemonde.fr/argent/article/2020/04/28/les-francais-inquiets-remplissent-leur-livret-a-tandis-que-d-autres-investissent-en-bourse_6037956_1657007
.html
[24] https://www.lafinancepourtous.com/decryptages/finance-perso/epargne-et-placement/livret-a/la-regle-de-fixation-du-taux-du-livret-a/
[25]
https://nouveau-europresse-com.bibelec.univ-lyon2.fr/Document/View?viewEvent=1&docRefId=0&docName=news%C2%B720200131%C2%B7SO%C2%B7310120ap10837485&docIndex=0
[26] https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2020/04/28/coronavirus-chute-brutale-de-la-confiance-des-menages_6038003_3234.html
[27] https://www.lafinancepourtous.com/decryptages/finance-perso/epargne-et-placement/livret-a/la-regle-de-fixation-du-taux-du-livret-a/
[28] https://www.alternatives-economic.fr/livret-a-gouvernement-nepargne-francais/00091523
[29] https://www.economie.gouv.fr/livret-a-reforme-formule-calcul-taux
[30] https://www.capital.fr/votre-argent/le-livret-a-ne-finance-pas-leconomie-trois-placements-utiles-et-plus-rentables-1367663
[31] Sovereign wealth funds are hedge funds held by a State whose utility is both economic and geo-strategic.
[32] A multinational whose capital is listed on the Paris stock exchange is said to be "French". Its employees are nevertheless global
[33] https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/Contre-le-libre-echange-l-autonomie-productive-5148
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Vers-une-crise-majeure-dans-l-agriculture
------------------------------
Message: 3
With the advancement of our struggles and organic in the last period, the anarchist Socialist Organization in the last month approved the
creation of the Bauru Core, in the northwest Paulista. The new nucleus is added to the nuclei of Greater São Paulo, and also of Marília and
the Baixada Santista of our organization. ---- The approximation of the companions and companions of Bauru has been on since 2012, being
intensified five years later, and last year the process of pro-nucleamento. The militancy has been involved in the main student struggles in
recent years, such as the mobilizations of June 2013, the 2015 and 2016, and the acts for Education and the pension Reform, in 2019. It was
also featured in youth mobilization against restrictive laws in the city in 2016 and 2017, and feminist acts in 2018.
The Bauru Core is born in the student, trade union and community fronts. Strengthens the anarchism in the territory of the territory of our
revolutionary political organization, which is placed in the popular movements in the fight against State, Capital and all kinds of
domination. We also follow the construction of the Brazilian Anarchist Coordination, the specifism in Latin America, and the broader
initiatives of international anarchism. In these challenging times, we believe that organized anarchism has a rich contribution to the
struggles that should be fought against the structures of oppression. As the recent International Document on the 1th of May, signed by
anarchist organizations around the world, " For the oppressed classes, all the time is time to struggle!"
Libertarian Anarchist Organization
May 2020
facebook.com/anarquismosp/photos/a.260134000839914/1477606669092635
------------------------------
Message: 4
Right from the start of the epidemic and containment, the right to strike and the right to withdraw were widely used to stop non-essential
activities from employers primarily concerned with their profits, such as at Amazon or in the automotive industry. . Similarly, in the
territorial public service, strike notices forced the authorities to enforce the right to health. ---- Without these mobilizations the
balance sheet could have been much heavier. At the time of deconfinement, many workers - salaried · es or "self-employed" - find themselves
in a paradoxical situation: anxious · es for their future with the economic crisis which is looming, and at the same time worried for their
health in the face of a second epidemic wave. Many are therefore impatiently awaiting the restart of the work promised by employers and the
government without offering security guarantees.
In this context, the right to strike and the right to withdraw must be used to impose irreproachable health conditions, in particular the
possibility of screening, working conditions which respect distancing, or even access to reliable masks. The amateurism and cynicism of the
authorities, exposed by the epidemic, show us that the health of all is primarily in the hands of workers.
UCL, April 26, 2020
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Edito-Pour-notre-sante-greve-et-droit-de-retrait
------------------------------
Message: 5
Although the whole of Europe is bound by measures taken against the spread of the pandemic, in the refugee camps on the Greek islands, the
imprisoned refugees are left to their fate. People from Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan fleeing the war live here in inhumane conditions. Just to
give you an idea, there are more than 20,000 people in the Moria camp on the island of Lesbos (it was set up for 3,000 refugees in 2015).
---- Campaign with slogans "Leave no one behind. Evacuate Moria! "(Let's not leave anyone in the lurch! Evacuate Moria!) We have seen in
recent weeks, for example, in Germany, Denmark and Austria. Kolektiv 115 took it for granted in Prague, and when asked if I didn't want to
take part in the weekend graffiti event, I found myself at the center of events. In the end, the Barrandov Bridge was chosen as the "crime
scene", where a friend from Kolektiv 115 and I went the day before with the aim of identifying suitable places, measuring them and taking
photos for others.
We met on "D-Day" directly under the Barrandov Bridge around three o'clock. In the end, in addition to the members of Kolektiv 115 and AF,
friends from Vršovice skins also arrived. So a good dozen people. After measuring the first slogan "Evacuate Moria", it was decided that we
often get in the way of so many people, so the Vršovice family opened a "second front" with the slogan: "Leave no one behind". The work,
made more pleasant by drinking and making music from our mobile phone, went pretty well, so we were done around eight o'clock and lit the
pyro for the final photo.
Charles Bridge
Let us add that Kolektiv 115 organized a happening in the center of Prague on the first weekend of May. He was also supported by activists
from AF-Prague. They walked across Charles Bridge with the "Refugees welcome" flag and Czech and English slogans written inside the comic
bubbles: "Leave no one behind", "Evacuate Moria!", "Borders are killing" or "Fight fortress Europe".
https://www.afed.cz/text/7170/evakuujte-morii
------------------------------
Message: 6
If we have decided today to write about Palestine, it is because it presents a very unique situation compared to other states. On the one
hand because its existence is not recognized internationally, but also because the colonization situation which characterizes it, its
dependence on international aid and the fragile health in which a part of its population lives. , induce a management and a particular
organization of the institutions and the population to stem the effects of the virus. Furthermore, the establishment of containment may also
imply increased pressure from the Israeli state on the Palestinian population. We contacted Raed Abou-Youssef, a character known and
recognized in pro-Palestinian circles in France,Al-Sanabel . This notably enabled young Palestinians to return to Palestinian agricultural
activity in a period when this activity was perceived as unattractive due to the low income it generated and the particular risks faced by
farmers in Palestine (regular incursions of soldiers into crops that do not hesitate to damage the plants, harassment). Raed has agreed to
tell us about the situation in the Hebron area since the containment was put in place.
Text published on the website of the Association France Palestine Solidarité. Link to the original, here .
Harz-Labor Journal (HL): Can you explain to us from when you started hearing about the coronavirus in the region, and in what context? How
was it perceived by people?
Raed Abou-Youssef (RAY): We started hearing about the coronavirus on March 5 when we had the first 4 cases. These were workers who worked in
a hotel in Bethlehem and who were in contact with Greek tourists.
HL: In this context, who started to implement health measures to deal with the pandemic? Did the Palestinian Authority play a role in this?
Has the Israeli state implemented measures for the Palestinians and if so, how have they been implemented?
RAY: The occupation government said it was not their business if there were Palestinian patients from the coronavirus and that it was up to
the Palestinian Authority to manage it. Immediately after, the IDF closed the roadblocks around Bethlehem, and it has been going on since
March 5. While it was the Palestinian Authority that implemented measures throughout Palestine, for example it prohibited traffic between
cities, closed schools and universities.
HL: How long have you been confined? Are the containment measures the same in the different zones (A, B and C)? How does this translate into
your daily life, that of children and the elderly? What are you allowed to do, not do? Have you had any feedback on the way the situation
was lived in the Hebron region? Are the confinement measures experienced as something imposed from the outside or ultimately is it
experienced as a time of opposition to the occupation, insofar as the space you Have you allowed yourself to reorganize your lives?
RAY:The majority of Palestinians have understood the importance of staying at home, because they are aware of the precariousness of the
health system since we are still under occupation and our means are weak. Our hospitals cannot accommodate more than 100 patients with
coronavirus. Enforcement of the confinement rules is ensured by the Palestinian security services in zones A and B, but in zone C, the
population has ensured alone that it has implemented containment measures. The Palestinian people have known the curfew for a long time,
during the years 70-80 and even in the early 2000s, we are used to it. People have prepared not to go shopping all the time, farmers can go
to work. The only ones who don't understand why we don't go out and go to school anymore,
We are still allowed to go out 4 hours a day but we cannot be more than 5 people in the same place. It is forbidden to go from one city to
another, all exits are closed, either by concrete blocks, or by a roadblock controlled by the Palestinian police. It is also prohibited to
work in the settlements because there are many sick Israeli settlers. As for the Palestinian workers who work in Israel, they have two
choices, either they return home or they stay there, but then they can not return until two months later, you should know that there is now
70,000 Palestinian workers working in Israel, and at the same time there are more than 10,000 patients in Israel.
The question which arises is how these workers can assure their means of living if they do not work any more! The unemployment insurance
system does not exist here, this story is very complicated.
HL: By talking to people living in Bethlehem, in the Dheisheh refugee camp, I learned that solidarity networks have been set up. How are
people dealing with containment around you? Does your grape cooperative play a special role? If so, can you elaborate a bit on this and
explain to us how you organize yourself, the goals you are looking for? How does this translate into everyday life? Can you develop on a
concrete example?
RAY: Solidarity between people has started since the beginning of April, farmers in the Jordan Valley send a lot of vegetables to poor
villages, the cooperative also donated 70 boxes each containing 4 bottles of grape juice and 2 bottles of debs, a kind of "grape jam".
HL: You work in the field of agriculture, in particular in the production of grapes, how the confinement affected the activity of the
farmers in the region of Hebron and the distribution of foodstuffs? Is the situation of agriculture here similar to what is happening in the
rest of Palestine?
RAY: Food distribution continues for the moment, but if this story lasts a long time we think that a real problem will happen everywhere in
Palestine. Note that 70% of the wheat purchased here comes from the United States ...
HL: Regularly, articles come out to talk about the significant risks that the coronavirus generates on the whole of Palestinian territory,
especially on tensions with the Israelis. How is the situation around you? Did the containment and arrival of the virus generate additional
tensions with the Israeli settlers and soldiers?
RAY:We have learned from history that if there is a disaster that strikes several peoples, they become united in order to survive, but this
is not the case with Israel, "like all capitalist regimes". The arrest of Palestinian activists continues, the demolition of houses is daily
and the most dangerous is that the Israeli government takes advantage of the international situation imposed by the coronavirus to gradually
annex zone C. The good news is that we do not see not many settlers these days, except yesterday[interview was conducted on April 13]where a
small group of settlers tried to uproot olive trees east of Hebron, but the peasants managed to expel them of the place. Palestinian workers
who fall ill in Israel, instead of being treated in Israeli hospitals,
HL: In France, there is a lot of questioning about the way in which confinement is organized in prisons, in particular because prisoners are
now prohibited from receiving visitors, as in Italy, and that there risks they all get infected. Lawyers have requested that prisoners be
released and that they be able to be confined to their homes to limit the risk of spread. For the moment, this has not succeeded and riots
have taken place in several prisons. Did you have any information on how confinement translates for Palestinian prisoners? Does confinement
change anything in their daily lives, in the movements of solidarity towards prisoners?
RAY: Israel blackouts the media on the situation of Palestinian political prisoners, families no longer visit them, we heard 10 days ago[at
the beginning of April]that 4 prisoners were sick. The PA (Palestinian Authority) has appealed to the international community to intervene
with the State of Israel asking it to release at least children, women and elderly prisoners, but Israel has not released only a few criminals.
HL: I had another question which dealt with the management by hospitals and health services of the virus. A little over a year ago, Donald
Trump stopped American aid to the Palestinian Authority which financed infrastructures such as hospitals and schools, the salaries of
caregivers, etc. How do health services manage the arrival of this virus? What does it change compared to usual in the daily life of
caregivers? What are the risks of coronavirus for hospitals and sick people?
RAY: The PA has chosen to have a specific hospital in each region for coronavirus patients, this has made it possible to continue treating
other patients in other hospitals, but if by chance there are several thousand patients of coronavirus I think we will have a big problem. I
think that is why the PA quickly declared a state of emergency.
HL: Finally, do you know how things are going at the moment in Gaza? There were first cases there, very few, insofar as the region is
isolated and under blockade, but the population density is very high and access to care is complicated.
At the moment, in Gaza, there are 4 confined sick people. We have managed to limit this number until now because we know that Gaza has been
under blockade for years, it is very rare that we leave or enter it. An Israeli journalist said the other day that "Gazans are lucky, they
don't travel and no one comes to see them, we have to do like them". As if it was their choice ...
We are very concerned that this disease will attack Gaza because there will be catastrophic consequences. In this band surrounded by Israel
and Egypt, they do not even have the means to treat certain classic diseases.
In conclusion, the Palestinian Authority operates thanks to international aid and as many economic experts believe that the coronavirus will
cause economic crises on a world level, then the worst has not yet happened.
HL: Would you like to come back to certain things as a conclusion? Would you like to talk about how it goes with your family who is in
Jerusalem? Knowing if you have the opportunity, for example, to see your children or how confinement takes place in Jerusalem, is it
different or similar to what you live in Halhul?
RAY: Yes, to finish I will tell you what it is to be confined under the occupation. My wife, daughter and son who have just returned from
Ukraine are forced to stay in Jerusalem, so my second son who studies in Nablus and I stay in Halhul. We have no right to even visit the
other half of the family and it has been like this since February 25.
Listed 18 hours ago by Collectif Emma Goldman
http://ucl-saguenay.blogspot.com/2020/05/palestine-situation-du-confinement.html
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