State of Palestine
Largest city: Gazaa
Language(s): Arabic (Official)
Area Total: 6,220 km2
West Bank: 5,860 km2
Dead Sea: 220 km2
Gaza Strip: 360 km2
Population: Abt. 4,300,000
GDP (PPP) Total: $11.95 billion
Per capita: $2,900 (2008)
Palestine is a state that was proclaimed on 15 November 1988 by the Palestine Liberation Organization's National Council in exile in Algiers which unilaterally adopted the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
One of the biggest challenges facing Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem is affordable housing. While the population and housing for illegal Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem has expanded dramatically, building permits for Palestinians are almost impossible to attain.
In addition, the separation wall has twisted and turned right through the middle of Palestinian neighborhoods, leaving some with Jerusalem IDs on the other side of the wall. This means they will lose their Jerusalem IDs, health care, pensions and the right to live and work in Jerusalem unless they move back to the Jerusalem side of the wall, which is not easily done. These factors have combined to cause a severe housing crunch for Palestinians, leaving families living in very crowded conditions and paying high rents.