The Palestinian Economy. Theoretical and Practical Challenges
The Palestinian Economy. Theoretical and Practical Challenges
The Palestinian Economy. Theoretical and Practical Challenges
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282<br />
Zagha<br />
Figure 7: Business Opinion of Central <strong>and</strong> Local Governments, West<br />
Bank/Gaza<br />
Source: Sewell (February 2004), Decentralisation: Lessons from Other Middle Eastern Countries<br />
for Iraq, p.9.<br />
5. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Palestinian</strong> NGOs Sector<br />
5.1. History, Role <strong>and</strong> Financing<br />
For years, the <strong>Palestinian</strong> struggle in the West Bank <strong>and</strong> Gaza Strip took the form not<br />
only of popular resistance against the occupation but also of collective efforts to<br />
deliver, often free of charge, an array of relief <strong>and</strong> developmental services not provided<br />
by the Israeli government (Sullivan Spring 1996: 93-100). Even today, 14 years after<br />
the establishment of the <strong>Palestinian</strong> Authority (PA), <strong>Palestinian</strong> nongovernmental<br />
organisations (PNGOs) still account for the majority of services in the West Bank <strong>and</strong><br />
Gaza Strip. Providing health care, education <strong>and</strong> training, agriculture extension,<br />
housing assistance, human rights <strong>and</strong> legal aid, charity/welfare, technical assistance,<br />
<strong>and</strong> so on, they are run by church groups, Islamic charitable organisations, voluntary<br />
associations, women’s committees, political groups, <strong>and</strong> independents. <strong>The</strong>ir diversity<br />
embodies a strong element of political pluralism <strong>and</strong> constitutes an important
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