Since the Palestinian population has one of the highest growth rates in the world, 4.5 per cent per annum, the corresponding figures inJanuary 2005 are higher but it is reasonable to assume that therelative proportions are similar.
Of the millions of Palestinians who are not Israeli citizens, 58 percent are in the diaspora and only 42 per cent live in the West Bank and Gaza. However, only the latter were allowed to vote on Sunday. While nobody should complain about these people electing someone whowill administer their local taxes and services, the problem is that the Palestinian Authority is actually expected to negotiate a treaty which will determine the future of the disenfranchised refugees.
The Israelis want the PA to sign an agreement abdicating the right of the refugees to return to the homes from which they were ethnically cleansed by Israeli troops in 1948.
Posted by Howard Lenow (guest blogging for Andrew Schamess) Read the rest here.
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