GLOOMY RAMADAN FOR PALESTINIANS, ECONOMY IN TATTERS

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- While more than a billion Muslims around the
globe worship the holy month of Ramadan, over one million Palestinians continue
to suffer in poverty, as their shattered economy has nothing to offer.

Rising unemployment, declining economic activity, natural resources and
fertile land still under Israel's control, has plunged 1.5 million Palestinians
in the Gaza Strip into unprecedented poverty levels.

The 2009 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Report
on Assistance to the Palestinians People observed "living conditions and access
to sources of livelihood in Gaza are currently at their worst since 1967, with
poverty affecting 90 per cent of the population."

Gaza had been disproportionately affected by the occupation policy due to
the tight Israeli blockade since mid-2007 and the Israeli military campaign
launched last December.

In the report, it was said the economic losses caused by Israel's campaign
are estimated to be US$4 billion (RM14 billion) -- almost thrice the size of
Gaza's economy.

Added the report: "(There is) no shift in the Israeli economic policy
towards the Palestinian territory. It calls for a bold shift in the orientation
of Palestinian economic development and urges donors to fulfill their commitment
to the Palestinian territory."

The US$4.5 billion pledged by donor countries at the Sharm El-Sheikh
Conference in Egypt last March to support Palestine recovery and reconstruction
plan, is yet to reach the people.

In the West Bank, another 2.5 million people are also suffering.
-- BERNAMA