The Palestinian Authority recently claimed that Israel gravely harms the PA economy. In fact, Palestinian officials argue that the Israeli occupation exacts a heavy price from their economy, offering a conservative estimate of $7 billion in the past 10 years.Their entire culture is built on the idea that they deserve unlimited amount of Western aid, because - as they said sixty years ago - they blame the West and the UN for their situation, and they won't do anything to fix it themselves.
The above estimate includes the frozen economic activity in Gaza as result of the blockade policy, the lost income from natural resources used by Israel given its control of most of the occupied area, additional Palestinian costs as result of restrictions on movement, and further limitations on local production.
Let's forget for a moment why a blockade was imposed on Gaza, why roadblocks have been erected in Judea and Samaria, and why is it that our communities surround themselves with a fence, rather than Palestinian communities. Let's assume that the Palestinian claims are fully accurate, and that the accumulated economic damage they incurred indeed totals $7 billion. As it turns, this is still a good deal for them.
I argue that the Palestinians have turned their misery into an economic strategy that benefits them. As result, they receive more money than all the damage they allegedly incur. Moreover, the current situation is economically beneficial for them, to a great extent.
The Palestinians fail to note that at this time they receive, both directly and indirectly, some $3-4 billion in annual international aid. This is more than double the annual damage to their economy as result of the occupation.
The Palestinians are world champions in per capita aid. On average, each one receives donations of some $1,000 per year. More than 60% of the Palestinian Authority's production originates from global donations. Statistical figures show that in the years 2009 and 2010, the PA received donations totaling some $4 billion per year. The scope of donations more than doubled itself since 2005.
That is, if we count all the funds received by the Palestinians from all sources only in the past 10 years, we reach an amazing sum approaching $25 billion. This is about $18 billion more than their own accumulated damage calculations.
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The Palestinians claim that the conflict with Israel harms them economically. There is no doubt this is true. Yet on the other hand, it seems they profit much from the conflict. Had it not been for the conflict, the Palestinian would barely receive any global aid. So do they have a genuine economic interest in putting an end to the conflict?
(h/t zozosophie)