“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.”
…Throughout his career, Abdullah al-Najjar has made around 30 trawlers. Such vessels are 17.5 meters long, 5.5 meters wide and 2.5 meters in height.
They can command a price of $70,000 each.
Abdullah’s business has nearly collapsed since Israel’s blockade on Gaza was severely tightened in 2007. He has made just two boats in the past 13 years; one of them was for use by his own sons. ‘Fishers have stopped buying new boats,” he said.’ “
The last boat maker in Gaza
Abdullah al-Najjar (left) has worked more on mending boats than on making new ones in recent times.
Abed Zagout/The Electronic Intifada