Consolidated Appeal for occupied Palestinian territory 2012

1. Executive Summary

2011 was marked by significant political developments in the region and in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). These included a reconciliation agreement reached between the two main political factions Fatah and Hamas in May, a Palestine application for full membership at the United Nations in September, and a subsequent campaign to join individual United Nations organizations.
Unfortunately, an on-going stalemate in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation stymied political progress.

In April, the Palestinian Authority presented its Palestinian National Development Plan (2011-2013), and later in the year its efforts were recognized by the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund who declared that the Palestinian Authority was now ‗above the threshold for a functioning state.‘ Gaza recorded some economic growth in 2011, albeit from a very low base, and a decline in unemployment. However, this growth is considered unsustainable as the blockade remains in place, limiting the productive base (i.e. the manufacturing sector) and restricting access to export markets. The growth has also not translated into an increase in food security: 52% of the population in Gaza remains food-insecure.