Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Israel Contributes to a Better 'Palestinian' Culture

From this report on the

Economic situation in the West Bank and Gaza and positive Israeli measures towards the PA:-

 
3. Facilitation of the movement of people and goods
• The number of roadblocks was reduced from 44 in 2008 to 10 in 2012, most of which are normally open. The most recent roadblock to be removed, in the last two weeks, was roadblock 328 north of Jericho, connecting Jericho to Highway 90.
• The infrastructures at the goods crossings and at the Allenby Bridge between Israel and Jordan were upgraded and hours of operation extended. The bridge was kept open for 48 hours straight at the beginning of Ramadan to enable the passage of more than 25,000 visitors.
• About 20% more entry permits to Israel were granted during 2012 compared to the similar period last year.

4. Increase of workers allowed into Israel - On 14 July, 5,000 additional work permits were approved for Palestinian construction workers to work in Israel.
5. Increase of Palestinian imports/exports - Palestinian exports to Israel in 2011 increased by 18.3% compared to 2010. There was an increase of 33% in the passage of goods through the Allenby Bridge. Palestinian exports (excluding Israel) grew by 13% in 2011. Also Palestinian imports (excluding Israel) grew by 9.3% in 2011 compared to 2010. In 2011 the number of permits for agricultural imports in Judea and Samaria was increased by 12% and 814 licenses for agricultural imports were granted, compared to 725 in 2010. In addition, a meeting took place a few months ago between the head of the Israeli customs authority and his Palestinian counterpart together with a group of leading Palestinian importers and exporters. They discussed ways to remove obstacles to increasing Palestinian foreign trade.

And how's that for Israeli culture?

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