The Economic Impact of the Conflict on Israelis and Palestinians

The Israeli unemployment rate is 6.1%, while the Palestinian unemployment rate in the West Bank is 16.3% and 41.3% in Gaza.

“[A] recent World Bank study predicts that, if the current situation continues throughout 2006, this may be the worst year in the Palestinian economic history. The average Palestinian’s personal income will fall by 40%, and 67% of the population will fall into poverty.” - A. David Craig, World Bank

Source: The source of these unemployment numbers is the CIA World Factbook on Israel, the CIA World Factbook on the West Bank, and the CIA World Factbook on Gaza.

The sharp rise in Palestinian unemployment, on the other hand, is universally viewed as resulting from Israeli policies of closure and movement restrictions.