BBC: Gaza population 'rising rapidly'

[Turborama]

Sunday, 15 February 2009

The population of the Gaza Strip increased by almost 40% between 1997 and 2007, according to the results of a Palestinian census. The survey, taken before Israel's recent offensive, showed the territory has a population of 1.4 million people.

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimated the annual growth rate at 3.3% and said the population would double in 21 years at that rate. The UN estimates the world's current average population growth at 1.17%.

In a statement, the West Bank-based bureau said: "Assuming a stable growth during the coming years, the Gaza Strip population will multiply in 21 years."

There were mixed findings in the census for the people of Gaza.

The overwhelming majority of people in the territory (67.9%) continue to be UN-registered refugees. The figure was only slightly lower (65.1%) in 1997.

Continues: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7891434.stm

[msongs]

1. free condoms and birth control pills for EVERY legal adult, on request nt

[Idealism]

2. W-t-f?

[henank]

3. So, not much of a genocide then after all

as has already been pointed out

[Violet_Crumble]

4. Maybe you could point out where the OP said there was?

Because in both threads, no-one but you even mentions genocide...

[henank]

5. It is a very popular word on DU

Israel's purported "genocide" of Palestinians has been mentioned so many times on DU that it is impossible to count. I was just taking the liberty of pointing out that the figures posted on this thread and the one I linked show exactly the opposite.

[Violet_Crumble]

6. Well, yr very keen on using it....

Take it from someone who doesn't use that word to describe anything that's happened in the I/P conflict because genocide is something that hasn't happened to either Israelis or Palestinians - it's tedious to see people misusing the word, and it's just as tedious to see you pop up now and bring it into the discussion. And just like most who trot out the word, I don't think you understand what constitutes genocide as falling population numbers are not an indicator of genocide. What was done to indigenous Australians where children were removed from their families and placed with white families was genocide, though population numbers didn't plummet or even fall. If yr interested in the subject of genocide, there's a book by Samantha Powers and she describes what Raphael Lemkin intended when he wrote the genocide convention and it gives a very clear account of what constitutes genocide...

[bemildred]

7. There seems to be a good deal of anxiety to fend the notion off.

A bitter subterranean struggle between the is-genocide people and the not-genocide people. I was chastised just recently for posting a definition of it, thinking people could read and form their own opinions. I agree with your view, but I don't think the dispute makes anybody look good either way. The argument reminds me of this story about LBJ:

When Lyndon Johnson ran for Congress, legend says, he wanted to spread the rumor that his opponent was a pig-fucker. Johnson's campaign manager said, "Lyndon, you know he doesn't do that!" Johnson replied, "I know. I just want to make him deny it."

[azurnoir]

9. that story has many applications on this forum n/t

[Vegasaurus]

8. You are right

Genocide is used constantly on this forum to describe the ISreali treatment of the Palestinians.

The fact that the birth rate is growing at such a rapid rate is proof that the Isrealis are very poor genociders.

They could take some lessons from the Janjaweed, or any number of other true genociders, if the goal was to really get rid of the Palestinians.

They could do a much better job.

:sarcasm: