The World Bank this week said the Palestinian economy faces a deepening crisis unless
foreign support grows and Israel eases restrictions on its trade. The Palestinian
Authority is relying on foreign aid to cover a 2012 budget deficit projected to reach
over $1 billion, but most donor countries have not fulfilled their pledges.
Meanwhile,
the United Nations relief agency for Palestinian refugees says it needs approximately
$75 million to help support schools and health clinics for the almost five million
Palestinian refugees.
The head of the agency, Filippo Grandi, appealed to emerging
economies to help fill the agency's budgetary shortfall.