I.WhatarethecostsoftheconflicttothePalestinians.docVIP

Regional Plan for Economic Growth The Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel occupy land the size of New Jersey that borders Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon and has access to the Mediterranean Sea. If all were well in the region, they would be in a prime location for trade and economic development. However, due to the ongoing conflict between the neighbors, the huge military budgets of countries in the region and the reliance of many countries on petro-wealth rather than diversified growth, that is far from the case. I. What are the costs of the conflict to the Palestinians? Palestinians who live in the Occupied Territories have a difficult time developing their economy because it is hard to establish the movement of people and goods across borders while Israel maintains its stringent security procedures at the borders and perpetuates retaliatory attacks by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Territories.?There are currently 699 Israeli checkpoints and obstacles in the West Bank as of 2008 (1). These checkpoints curtailing movement, the political unrest and the on-going armed conflict (more than 370 Palestinians died in 2008 due to IDF while 13 Israelis died due to Palestinians armed groups (2)) have devastated the Palestinian economy. (66.5% of the Palestinian population live below the poverty line and more than 800,000 Palestinians live in refugee camps which lack clean water, electricity and fuel, and are overpopulated (3)), caused the destruction of infrastructure, agriculture, the environment and created a population resentful of Israelis. The Gaza Strip relies heavily on trade with Egypt and Israel for its business. 80% of its trade is with Israel with 95% of its exports going to or through Israel’s markets (4). That trading consists of fishing as well as the grazing of sheep and goats for milk, meat, and leather goods (5).? Some goods such as weapons make sense, however, goods that can be used for manufacturing and industry are also restricted. Add to th