ABSTRACT
Sustainable development in Palestine is impossible due to the on-going Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With expansionist aims, Israel keeps Palestinians vulnerable and dependent. Moreover, as Israel allows foreign aid, it lets the international community shoulder the cost of its occupation, thereby perpetuating the conflict and the status quo at the expense of Palestinian national aspirations. The discussion reflects on the effects of politics on development and examines the impact of settlements, checkpoints, and the Wall that weaken the Palestinian economy and planning by fragmenting territory, obstructing movement, hampering resource access, impeding trade, withhold taxes, and more.
