The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for more than 60 years. Progress in the peace process has quickly been followed by setbacks.
Sweden and the EU’s work in the West Bank and Gaza is built on a two-state solution that the parties will negotiate. The starting point is the 1967 boundaries, though the situation today has reached a deadlock.
The Fatah-dominated official Palestinian authority is in the West Bank. But the Gaza Strip is basically run by Hamas. This, combined with Israel’s blockade, is making it difficult for the Palestinian authorities to act in Gaza. And as long as Hamas controls Gaza, Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip is likely to continue. This has caused a political deadlock.
During the war in Gaza at the beginning of 2009, more than 1000 persons were killed, many civilians. Many more were injured or became homeless.
Catastrophes – a daily occurrence in Gaza
During the war, many residents of Gaza lost their houses and important infrastructure was destroyed. Four out of five residents in Gaza are living on humanitarian support from the rest of the world, and private trade and industry has basically collapsed.
There is a huge need for building material. Houses, electricity networks, water and sewage systems need to be rebuilt. However, Israel’s blockade does not allow such goods to enter Gaza. Basically, only medicine and food are permitted. Nevertheless, some prohibited goods get through via the hundreds of tunnels that exist on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.
Land divisions
In the West Bank, the situation is better than in Gaza. Nevertheless, about half of the population is still living in poverty. Between 30 and 40 per cent are without permanent work.
While Gaza is completely enclosed, the problem in the West Bank is that the land areas have been subdivided into small islands. Israel’s separation barrier and other obstacles have basically cut off the land areas from each other. This has resulted in weak economic development and limited opportunities for medical care and education. Large sections of the separation barrier have been built on Palestinian land. The International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, has determined that the stretches of the barrier that have been built on occupied land contravene international law.
There are almost half a million settlers in the West Bank today, including East Jerusalem, which was also occupied in 1967. According to the Israeli B’Tselem organization, there are now settlements on about 40 per cent of land in the West Bank.
To get from one area to another, Palestinians have to stand in lengthy queues at access points controlled by the Israeli military. Nobody can be sure of getting through.
Tug-of-war for the holy city
Jerusalem is an important city for Jews, Muslims and Christians. Israel says that Jerusalem is its capital, which is not accepted by the UN and international organizations. Palestinians also regard East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
More than a quarter of a million Palestinians live in East Jerusalem. However, they are increasingly suffering evictions and experience difficulties in obtaining residential building permits. At the same time, the Palestinian population in Jerusalem is increasing and there is a major lack of housing. Many eventually build without permission and risk being forced to tear their houses down once the work is completed.
Sweden’s focus areas in the West Bank/Gaza:
- Promoting peacemaking and the peace process.
- Promoting the creation of a democratic Palestinian state.
Read more about Sida’s work in the West Bank/Gaza
