Palestinian Territories

The Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation helps children with learning difficulties to integrate with other children [Paulinus Barnes]

Since the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip by Israel following the 1967 Six-day War, Palestinians have seen their standard of living fall; today, almost three quarters of the population live below the UN poverty line.

Israeli authorities frequently confiscate Palestinian land, and deny permission to build homes or roads for agricultural areas, while parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip are regularly closed off by the Israeli military, denying Palestinians access to hospitals, schools and markets.

Access to water for domestic and agricultural use is much more restricted than in neighbouring Israel, leading to health problems exacerbated by the sress of living under curfew and occupation.

Many Palestinians find work outside the West Bank and Gaza Strip – in Lebanon for example, where their future is no more certain. Palestinians who lost land to Israel in 1948 remain refugees, living in camps in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

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Stand Up, Take Action 2008 More than 116 million people – one per cent of the world’s population – took action against poverty on October 17-19. Thank you to all those who were part of this historic event

Showing solidarity with Palestinians CAFOD and its partner Caritas Jerusalem show their solidarity with Palestinians on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, November 29