During a workshop organized by the university today (May 3, 2016), economists and lawmakers stressed the need to cancel the Paris Economic Protocol, which was signed by the Palestinian National Authority in April 1998.  The protocol defines the economic relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The participants confirmed that this agreement have led to severe deterioration in the economic situation in Gaza and West Bank. They all agree on the need to make substantial review and modification, and to raise this issue to the international community to support the Palestinian cause.

Dr. Adnan Hajjar Israa University president stressed that the Palestinian economy since the signing of the Paris Protocol agreement faces difficult phases, experts and interested parties have warned from the catastrophic consequences of the agreement on the Palestinian economy. The university is organizing this day to discuss this issue hopping that the decision makers will consider the recommendation and outcomes of the day, he added.

Dr. Moeen Rajab, economic expert, explained that the Paris Protocol is part of the agreements that followed the Oslo agreement and prevented the Palestinian Authority to achieve economic independence and affected the daily life of all Palestinians.

Dr. Nabil Abu Shamala, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Finance at Israa University, explained the need to end the Palestinian division, and establishment of the Gaza airport to insure Palestinian sovereignty over land and resources. Dr. Abu Shamala added, we should end the dependency of the Palestinian economy on the Israeli economy to achieve economic development  and to increase Palestinian GDP with the increase in production, and the establishment of a the trade zone on the border with Egypt.