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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067052.html
Economic Recovery in the West Bank
[Ha'aretz] Meron Benvenisti - The West Bank is undergoing a period of economic recovery. During the past year, there was an increase of more than a third in commercial activity, and the rise in the standard of living is continuing. True, the prosperity is misleading since it is based on the flow of donations from abroad, but the aim of the donors is to provide political support for the PA and to fight Hamas by economic means. They are apparently succeeding. The West Bank remained calm during the fighting in Gaza and was not dragged into reactions of protest. Security officials are aware of this improvement and they are doing away with roadblocks, making the movement of traffic easier. In view of this improvement, it is perhaps possible that Benjamin Netanyahu is correct in claiming that we should concentrate on "economic peace" and that in view of the lack of a chance for a permanent solution, attempts must be made to continue the economic development in the territories. The writer is a former deputy mayor of Jerusalem.