Effect of Demographic Factor on Palestinian - Israeli Conflict
Hussein Al-Rimmawi, Esmat Zeidan

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to tackle the demographic and spatial changes which took place in Palestine since the middle of 19th century to present. Throughout the last 160 years Palestine witnessed several waves of foreign immigrants whose settlements were diffused starting from coast toward interior parts of Palestine. Other foreign settlers were interested in residing in holy cities such as Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem. For the first time and after 1948 war in Palestine foreign immigrants outnumbered Palestinian people in which almost one million of its residents were forced to leave their homes. After the 1948 war Israel was established over 78% of Palestinian lands. West Bank and Gaza strip which comprised only 22% of Palestine became under Jordanian and Egyptian rules respectively. All the area of Palestine became under Israeli occupation in 1967. Due to Palestinians high growth rate, Israelis are heading toward losing their majority. At present Palestine is sliced into several concentration areas between Palestinians and Israelis. Because of such a mix up between both sides, a visible and just solution to this conflict is becoming more difficult. If the situation persists, an apartheid system will force itself on the land of Palestine. The author believes that that a new approach should be carried out in order to solve Arab- Israeli conflict including refugees’ right of return.

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