The last boat maker in Gaza

From the Electronic Intifada – Abdullah al-Najjar is the last boat maker in Gaza.

Fully aware that he plies a vanishing trade, Abdullah, 61, is nonetheless trying to keep it alive in a time-honored way. He is training his son Jamil, 25, so that his skills can be handed on to the next generation.

Abdullah himself began learning how to build boats when he was in his early teens. He was taught how to do so by an uncle.

“Boat making is almost nonexistent in Gaza today,” said Abdullah. “That is because of the high costs involved, the fact that raw materials are scarce and the restrictions placed on fishers.”

Gaza’s maritime traditions have deep roots.

In ancient times, a Greek port known as Antidon was established near present-day Gaza City. Fishing – particularly for tuna, sardines, shrimp and squid – has long been a key source of livelihood for Palestinians living along the coast.

Despite surviving for so long, the traditions are now at grave risk because of Israel’s policies.

The Oslo accords – signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization during the 1990s – allowed Gaza’s fishers to work in a zone that stretched for 20 nautical miles. In reality, Israel has never allowed fishers to venture beyond 15 miles of the coast. more