Stop With the Nonsense That Palestinians Are a Minority in Israel

[Little Tich]

55. You seem to unaware of the harsh economic conditions for the Palestinian population in the West Bank

First of all, the GDP in the West Bank (US$5,009.9) is less than half than that of Jordan (US$10,880.3) and much less than Israel (US$ 35,431.6) (http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD). I'm not sure how you interpret this as a "dramatic increase in their inhabitants' quality of life" as the people in the West Bank would've logically had a doubled GDP if they'd stayed with Jordan. Perhaps you're referring to the advantages of having a simpler lifestyle without the trappings of modern civilization? And what are security needs you refer to that necessitate imposing Palestinian poverty?

BTW, I've seen other figures that put the West Bank GDP to around US$2,000, but I'm not going to cherry-pick - the World Bank list is good enough for comparisons between countries.

I've posted about the difficult economic conditions for the Palestinians before, and the reports from UNCTAD and the World Bank seem to contradict your argument:

Income Stagnation and Worsening Living Standards Continue For Palestinian Families
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1134132677

UN: Without ‘occupation’ Palestinian economy could double
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1134132379

Oh, and about the Temple Mount: The decision to allow the Waqf limited authority over the Temple Mount seems to be in no way based on any desire to grant equal religious rights - meanwhile, Israel demolished the ancient Sheikh Eid Mosque, because it was in the way of Jewish worshippers accessing the Kotel - hardly something that would be possible if there were equal religious rights in Israel. I don't know of any Synagogue being demolished in Israel in favor of other religions.


Rare Photograph Reveals Ancient Jerusalem Mosque Destroyed in 1967
A few days after the Six-Day War, Israel destroyed the Mughrabi quarter to build the Western Wall Plaza, including one of few remaining mosques from the time of Saladin
Source: Haaretz, Jun 15, 2012
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/rare-photograph-reveals-ancient-jerusalem-mosque-destroyed-in-1967.premium-1.436593