EconTalk Voices from Gaza (with Ahmed Alkhatib)
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Mar 18, 2024 Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, an activist and writer who grew up in Gaza before becoming an American citizen, shares his deeply personal experiences of loss in the region. He discusses the complexities of daily life under Hamas, revealing what many Gazans truly think. Alkhatib also explores the duality of Gaza's economy—both poverty and potential prosperity. Furthermore, he addresses the hostage crisis and emphasizes the need for diplomatic solutions, all while holding onto hope for a peaceful future for the Palestinian people.
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Childhood in Gaza
- Ahmed Alkhatib recalls his childhood in Gaza, marked by periods in Saudi Arabia and a sense of being an outsider due to his accent.
- He describes attending crowded UNRWA schools with academic rigor but also a lice problem, for which gasoline was suggested as a treatment.
UNRWA Schools and Incitement
- Alkhatib clarifies that UNRWA schools don't explicitly teach hate, but teacher editorializing can contribute to incitement.
- He highlights the segregation and sense of injustice among refugee descendants in UNRWA schools, fueling potential hatred.
Gaza's Development Paradox
- Alkhatib acknowledges the existence of developed areas in Gaza, built by Hamas, businessmen, and Qatari investments.
- This development occurred alongside increasing aid dependency and unemployment, showcasing Gaza's complex reality.