"'The whole economic peace idea … is to provide economic solutions to political problems,' said Alaa Tartir ... [who authored] a study on the Japanese-funded Agro-Industrial Park in Jericho [as well as a commentary for Al-Shabaka]. 'Historical evidence suggests, and actual facts on the ground suggest, that such a model, while it could achieve very short-term successes, is very distorting at the long-term level. It helps in distorting Palestinian life and economy and normalizes the occupation, rather than end the occupation,' Tartir said.

"He told Al-Monitor that while Palestinians need industrial zones to build a solid economic foundation and base of production, the current framework is 'inherently problematic'; the parks are driven by international donors’ agendas, there is a lack of Palestinian ownership and accountability, and Israel, as the occupying power, maintains control over all aspects of production and exports.

"'[The parks were] not built to challenge the occupation or colonization, but to impose an economic peace between colonized and colonizers. This reality cannot be masked by talking about profits, economic efficiencies, and other technical jargon,' Tartir said."

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