ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a literature review of the conceptual framework for understanding information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption in the Arab world and the debate surrounding the digital divide. It describes the rates of diffusion of the Internet and other ITC in the Arab countries; an examination of historical data and case studies from major Palestinian cities in the West Bank and Gaza, refugee camps, and villages that highlight Palestinian experience with the Internet and Israeli policies toward the Palestinians regarding the Internet and information technology. Mark Warschauer, with research experience in the Arab world, remarks that the digital divide concept has a technological connotation and can very well imply 'digital solutions' to the problem, devoid of considering social and political problems that stand in the way of ICT social inclusion. The cost of the Internet connection was cited as the greatest deterrence against having Internet access.
