Israeli Politician Finds Building Fake Island Easier Than Diplomacy

Israeli Transport and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz is seeking to win cabinet backing for an ambitious $5 billion plan to ease Gaza’s economic blockade with a highly secure artificial island. “I do not think it is right to lock up two million people without any connection to the world,” Katz said. But for security concerns he doesn’t believe opening up direct access to Gaza is feasible. Thus, he wants to build a multi-billion dollar landing strip to act as a buffer for Israel to monitor goods coming in and out of the territory. His proposal made a big splash but Katz received radio silence while asking for support. Though Katz is a prominent member of the Likud Party, neither Prime Minister Netanyahu nor his colleagues have given it their blessing. Likewise, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thinks Gaza II: The Island would further alienate Gaza from the West Bank. For now, Katz is the only man on his island.