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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Last reviewed: 16-07-2008

ROCKY ROAD TO MIDDLE-EAST PEACE


The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rooted in a seemingly intractable dispute over land claimed by Jews as their biblical birthright and by the Palestinians, who seek self-determination.

  • World's longest refugee crisis
  • Humanitarian suffering in Gaza
  • Palestinian factional fighting

    Despite repeated attempts to end the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, there is no peace settlement in sight. But U.S. President George W. Bush is keen to push through a statehood deal in his final year in office, propelling new talks in 2008.

    Neither side has fulfilled the commitments it made under the 2003 roadmap - a phased timetable designed to lead to a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel put together by the United States, Britain, Russia and the United Nations.

    Palestinian militant groups continue their attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians, while Israel - established as a Jewish state in 1948 - continues building settlements in the West Bank.

    Within the Palestinian Territories, a power struggle between rival Palestinian factions has led to the establishment of two administrations. Hamas, a militant group whose stated aim is the destruction of Israel, swept to victory in Palestinian elections in early 2006, beating the long-dominant Fatah party. A Hamas-Fatah coalition government was formed as a result.

    Fighting between the two groups erupted on the streets of Gaza in June 2007, resulting in a take-over of Gaza by Hamas. In the West Bank, the ruling Fatah government promptly dissolved the national unity government, and set up its own emergency administration.

    Meanwhile, life for ordinary Palestinians has got worse. Around 1.7 million refugees live in the West Bank and Gaza, many in crowded camps.

    Their movements are restricted by a system of closures and checkpoints maintained by the occupying Israeli army, which makes it difficult for them to access workplaces, markets and services in Israel and the West Bank.

    In Gaza, which is subject to the most severe closures, socioeconomic conditions have deteriorated significantly in recent years, and the population is increasingly reliant on food aid.

    KEY FACTS


    POPULATION
    Israel 6.9 million (U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2006)
    Palestinian territories 3.8 million (U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2006)
    Settlers There are around 430,000 settlers in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem (BBC Online)
    Refugees There are 4.4 million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, of which 1.3 million live in camps. (UNRWA )
    Palestinian prisoners There are more than 8,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, according to B'Tselem.
    POVERTY
    Palestinians living in poverty 57 percent overall - 49 percent in the West Bank and 79 percent in Gaza (UNOCHA, January 2008)
    Palestinians not hooked up to the sewage system Two-thirds (UNOCHA, January 2008)
    ECONOMY
    Israel
    GNI per capita (2006) $18,580 (World Bank)
    Palestinian territories
    GNI per capita (2006) $1,230 (World Bank)
    Percentage below poverty line of $2.3 per day 80 percent in Gaza; 46 percent in the West Bank (World Food Programme, 2007)

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    Members of a Norwegian paramedic team take part in an international emergency medical workers competition hosted in Israel, in the Judean desert near the Dead Sea September 8, 2008. REUTERS/Baz Ratner ...


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