Marianne Heiberg and Geir Øvensen

Palestinian Society

in Gaza, West Bank and Arab Jerusalem

A Survey of Living Conditions

With
Helge Brunborg, Rita Giacaman, Rema Hammami, Neil Hawkins, Hasan Abu Libdeh, Camilla Stoltenberg, Salim Tamari, Steinar Tamsfoss, Ole Fr. Ugland, Lars Weiseth
Special adviser: Knut Knudsen

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Level of living conditions study, the organising concept
The Gaza, West Bank and Arab Jerusalem survey

1. The Transformation of Palestinian Society: Fragmentation and Occupation

The Fragmentation of Palestinian Society

Urban-Rural Disparities

Poverty, Migration, and Living Conditions

Juridical Control and the Israeli Civil Administration

Control of Land, Labour and Infrastructure

Loss of Control and Reaction to Powerlessness

2. Population Characteristics and Trends

Who is "Palestinian"?

Palestinian Population History

The Population Covered by the FAFO Survey

Characteristics of Population in the Occupied Territories

Infant and Child Mortality

Data Limitations

Childhood Mortality Estimation

Regional Comparison

Concluding Remarks

Summary Statistics of FALCOT 92 Input Data

Population Projections

Limitations on Input Parameters

Basic Assumptions

Formulation of Alternative Projections

Projected Developments in the Occupied Territories Using Projection

Prospects of Change in Population Size

3. Housing

The Cultural Setting of and Domestic and Public Spheres inside the Housing Unit

Variations in Construction

Privacy and housing density

Infrastructural Amenities: Water, Sewage and Electricity

Indoor Standards

Forms of Ownership

Housing and Safety with Regard to Children

4. Health

Acute and Chronic Illness

Utilization of Health Services

Health Insurance

Symptoms of Distress - Mental Health

5. Education

Brief Overview of the Evolution of the Palestinian Educational System

Educational Attainment

Education and Economic Mobility

Education and Leisure

The Impact of Education on Individual Autonomy and Perception of Influence

Education and the Perception of Conflict

Education's Impact on the Status of Women

6. Household Income and Wealth

Household Wealth

Household Income

7. Employment and Under-utilization of Labour

Supply of Labour; Labour Force Participation

Under-utilization of Labour

Use of the Labour Force in the Occupied Territories

Female Labour Activity

8. Aspects of Social Stratification

Socioeconomic Status and HH Background Characteristics

Social Status and Economic Wealth

Attitudes to Social Inequalities

A Homogeneous Society or Three Different Areas?

9. Opinions and Attitudes

The Attitudinal Framework

Attitudes on the Status of Women

Attitudes to Social Divisions in Palestinian Society

Religious Attitudes

Political Attitudes

Evaluation of the Past

Attitudes to the Future

10. Women in Palestinian Society

Marriage and Attitudes Towards Marriage Age

Preferred Marriage Age

Women, Property and Access to Economic Resources

Women's Informal Support Networks

Freedom of Movement

Attitudes Towards Women's Appropriate Work Roles

Appendix A: Sampling Strategy

Gaza Strip Sample Design

West Bank Sample Design

Arab Jerusalem Sample Design

Sampling and Non-sampling Error

Appendix B: Recruitment, Training and Organisation of the Field Work

Appendix C: Processing of Data

Appendix A2: Tables

Appendix A6: Tables

Appendix A7: Labour Table Appendix

Fafo Report 151

© Forskningsstiftelsen Fafo 1993, 1994
ISBN 82-7422-105-2

Cover and layout: Jon S. Lahlum

al@mashriq                       960428/960613