The prospect of a future with 3,000 new jobs and the sparkling fizzle of sweet chocolate-colored liquid might finally tame the Gazans.
At least, one can always hope.
Coca Cola was given a green light to build a new factory in the Karni industrial area, thanks to the courage of a Palestinian Authority Arab entrepreneur and Israel’s willingness to risk it.
Although “dual use” materials have in the past been stolen by Hamas in order to be used for construction of terrorist tunnels, this time it is hoped supplies will be more closely controlled.
In order to build the factory, its franchise owner and operator had to first submit his request to Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai.
Mordechai then made his recommendation to Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who gave final approval for the construction, which is expected to take only six months.
The initiative will ultimately bring up to 3,000 new jobs to Gaza for residents of the enclave.
It will also make things easier for local merchants who until this point have imported their Coca Cola from Ramallah.
Although the Karni crossing is now closed, its industrial area is being used as a storage site by PA Arab merchants and international organizations.