Central and West Asia and North Africa Regional Meeting Report A country report on the status of Plant Genetic Resources in Palestine Prepared by Palestinian Environmental Authority (PEnA)   I. INTRODUCTION & COUNTRY BACKGROUND A) West Bank Palestine has a proud history. As the cradle of civilization and as a focal point of the world's three monotheistic religions it has a global influence that greatly exceeds its small size. It is a tiny piece of land whose Forecasting religious, ethnic and political diversity is echoed in the remarkable range of ecological variation. Palestine's geographical position has been both its blessing and its curses. Located at the meeting point between Eurasia and Africa, Palestine is divided into two geographic areas. the West Bank -including Jerusalem- and Gaza Strip, comprising a total area of approximately 6,185 km² where the West Bank covers 5820 km² and Gaza Strip 365 km². The Occupied Palestinian Territories are situated to the Eastern Shore of the Mediterranean basin, at 29° to 33° N and 35° to 42° E. The total population of this combined area is 2.9 million, of which 2.0 million live in the West Bank and the rest live in the Gaza Strip. The estimated natural growth rate for the people of this area is between 3-5%, comprising one of the highest growth rates in the region. In term of climate conditions, there are four climatic and geologic zones in the West Bank. The Jordan Valley Region extends along the western bank of the Jordan River. It is a low-lying area (up to 375 m below sea level) with a semi-tropical climate characterized by hot summers and warm winters. Rainfall is low in this eco-region averaging 158 mm annually. The Eastern Slopes Region extends along the length of the Eastern Parts of the West Bank, covering an area approximately 1500 km². It ranges from 800 m above sea level to approximately 200m below. As this region lies in the rain-shadow area of the Central Highlands. it is characterized by semi-arid climate with low rainfall ranging from 200-400 mm annually. The southern parts of the Eastern Slopes region are dry, whereas the northern parts are water-rich. The Central Highlands Region includes a range of mountains and their Western Slopes area This range extends over the length of the central parts of the West Bank, from Jenin in the north to Hebron in the south. The Central Highlands Region constitutes a major part of the West Bank covering an area of approximately 3500 km². This predominantly mountainous region ranges in elevation from 400m to more than 1000 m above sea level. This region is the main catchment area of rainwater, which replenishes the West Bank underground water aquifers. The Semi-Coastal Region is the smallest of the Weft Bank regions with an area of approximately 400 km². It Compromises the northwestern parts of the West Bank, including pans of Jenin and Tulkarm districts. In terms of climate, this region is considered an extension of the Mediterranean coastal region with elevation varying between 100-400 m above sea level. The Semi-Coastal Region is characterized by extensive plains, which are highly cultivated with vegetables and field crops. In summary, Palestine is Dryland country, when most is arid and semi-arid. The climate is typically Mediterranean with hot, dry summer, mild, rainy winter, and with a longer autumn season than spring. The mean annual rainfall decreases from 700 mm in the northwest of the West Bank to below 100 mm in the Jordan Valley. Water scarcity is one of the key environmental issues in the area, whereby a number of priority actions for water resource management at all levels have to be considered.   B) Israeli Settlements Since early 1970s, Israel has relentlessly pursued a policy of setting Israeli Jews in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (especially in and around Jerusalem) in an attempt to alter its demographic character and appropriate its natural resources. As a result of the United Nations Partitioning Plan of Palestine of 1947 and the subsequent 1948 war, Israel took over nearly 65% of the area of geographic Palestine. After its occupation of the West Bank in 1967, it confiscated an additional 52% of the remaining land area of the West Bank. Colonies, closed military areas and bases, state-land, nature reserves and forests are used to provide luxurious living conditions and natural resources. In 1995, nearly 306,000 settlers were living in the West Bank and Eastern Jerusalem The issue of settlements is important not only in the context of self-determination for the Palestinian People generally, but it is particularly pertinent with respect to resource access and availability. Israeli confiscation of land and construction of settlements put pr on land resources due to the associated problems of waste disposal, transportation networks, and security. Moreover, settlers have the freedom to exploit the local land and water resources, while Palestinians categorically denied access to them There are at least 257 Israeli settlements, occupying approximately 7,779.80 hectares of land and are distributed all over specially in and around Eastern Jerusalem. Construction in the Eastern Slopes and Jordan Valley have been restricted to Palestinians as Israel has seized most of these areas. Except in the Jordan Valley, most of the Israeli Settlements have been constructed on hilltops and/or in the vicinity of the Palestinian communities in a manner that prevents the later's development Eastern Jerusalem and Bethlehem are clear examples of cities surrounded by a cluster of settlements that limit their growth. As a result of this strategy, most Palestinian buildings are erected on agricultural lands. During the past few years as well as after the Oslo II Interim Agreement, both the Likud and Labor governments maintained progressive expansion of Settlements and construction of by-pass roads that aim to create a continuous dense Jewish colonies, securing de facto control over land. The Oslo II Interim Agreement had resulted in the division of the West Bank into three types of areas that are differentiated by a different level of control Areas A, B and C. The Israeli re-deployment from Area A was a precondition for holding the elections of the Palestinian Legislative Council. In Area A, the Palestinian Authority has full control. This area is presently limited to main parts of the eight major cities of the West Bank; namely, part of Hebron, Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, part of Beit Jala, Jericho, Ramallah, Al Bireh, Nablus, Tulkarm , Qalqiliya, and Jenin. It covers a total area of 159.90 km² comprising approximately 2.75% of the total West Bank land that was occupied by Israel in 1967. Hebron city is divided into H1 and H2 areas with different control levels. H1 Area is considered Area A, while the remaining area of the city that houses around 400 settlers is identified as H2 area. Israel retains all powers and responsibilities for internal security and public order. In Area B. where the Palestinians have full control over civil society, Israel has an overriding responsibility for security. These areas comprise most of the Palestinians towns and villages that cover a total area of 1,334.07 km² and constitute 22.91% of the total West Bank land that was occupied by Israel in 1967. In Area C, while the Palestinians have responsibilities for civil life such as economics, health and education. Israel retains control of security and power related to territory. Area C covers a total surface area of 4,327.60 km², comprising the remaining 74.34% of the total West Bank land that was occupied by Israel in 1967. All currently existing Israeli colonies in the West Bank lie within these areas. According to the co-signed agreements, Israel is to withdraw from all of the above listed areas (i.e. the West Bank) and to permit the establishment of a Palestinian National Government there. As of today, Israel did not fulfill its commitments.   TOC