80 percent of Gazan Palestinians live in poverty, Israeli policy coordinator says

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 10-13-02 | By THE JERUSALEM POST STAFF

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Maj.-Gen. Amos Gilad, coordinator of activities in the territories told the cabinet today that 80 percent of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living beneath the poverty line.

With crime and prostitution rampant, there is a general break down of social services in Gaza, with international aid groups playing a crucial role in providing some support for an estimated 2 million needy people, Gilad said.

However, Gilad maintained there was no problem of hunger, Israel Radio reports.

The Red Cross feeds 80,000 families, and UNRWA 40,000, he said. Iraq and Iran provide other aid, he said.

Hamas has also stepped into the void to supply services and intensify its operations, Gilad added.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Arafat stole $1.3 billion in foreign aid and diverted it to his personal bank accounts, but alas, one cannot blame the poor Palestinians for their lot in life.

[Diogenesis]

One cannot even mention it.

[razorback-bert]

80 percent of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living beneath the poverty line.

Palestinians are rich compared to people in Southern Africa.

BTW, did we cure hunger in India, while I was asleep?

[Dallas]

According to Reuters, the U.N. claims that it feeds over 400,000 refugees in Gaza.....of course they have to go to a Mosque to get it....