The UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) issued on Tuesday a report entitled “Economic costs of the Israeli occupation for the Palestinian people: The toll of the additional restrictions in Area C, 2000–2020”.
In the recent report on the issues of Palestinian economy, the Unctad found that the latest restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities are a major factor impeding economic stability and growth in the Occupied Territories.
The report estimated the annual contribution of the settlements in Palestinian lands to the economy of the occupying power at $41 billion or 227% of the total Palestinian GDP in 2021.
"Palestinian land and natural resources, is another indicator of the significant cost borne by the Palestinian people because of the emergence and continuous growth of settlements," it noted.
The cost estimated in the report accounts for just a fraction of the cost of the Israeli occupation of Area C and East Jerusalem, which is itself a small fraction of the total economic cost imposed by occupation on the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza.
The report also said that "Palestinian access to all of Area C is necessary for the sustainable development of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and for the emergence of a viable, contiguous Palestinian State based on the two- State solution, in line with relevant UN resolutions."
The report concluded by stressing the necessity to lift all restrictions on Palestinian economic activity in Area C. Ending such restrictions would provide the Palestinian economy with a badly needed economic and natural resource base for developing their economy and reversing the current trend of deepening fiscal crisis and increasing socioeconomic deprivation.
It also maintained that until the occupation is ended, foreign aid and donor support to the Palestinian people must be strengthened to avert future socioeconomic and humanitarian crises.
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