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2002
PHDR
The PHDR 2002
focuses on an important era in the history of the Palestinian people, marked
by a radical shift in Palestinian-Israeli relations. Although the PHDR documents the years 2000 and 2001, its findings also apply to the year 2002. The recommendations of the report are based on various possible scenarios (e.g., resistance, institution building, state). The report is intended to stimulate a dialogue between the Palestinian society and the international community with the aim of implementing its recommendations. This report provides a reassessment of the Palestinian past, present and future. It will serve to distract attention away from the current dire situation and herald a new era of human rights for Palestinians as demanded by international law, and human principles. The PHDR 2002, and the latest Israeli incursion into West Bank cities in 2002 confirmed several arguments presented by previous human development reports on the West Bank and Gaza. Among its most salient findings and arguments are: 1. The continuing Occupation has been the critical factor mitigating the progress of human development. Any accomplishments will not be sustainable if the Palestinian society remains under the control of an occupying force. 2. Sustaining the development process and the opportunity to build upon what has already been achieved remains challenging while an entire society is denied the right to self-determination. 3. Building Palestinian society and institutions cannot be sustained without an independent Palestinian state and severing of the colonial ties with Israel. Any attempt to achieve sustainable human development would be futile otherwise. 4. The desire of the Palestinians to establish an independent, democratic state requires simultaneous and equitable effort in social, political and economic areas. Delegating authority in a democratic manner through transparent elections will help realize these national objectives. It also requires taking heed of lessons learnt and acting responsibly in bringing about needed reforms in the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Technocratic and political leadership will need to work collectively to bring about necessary institutional change. 5. Popular and community participation within the rule of law, aided by strong coordination among institutions, was, and still is, the determining factor in achieving human development. 6. Erasing the social and psychological effects of the Occupation from the collective consciousness will be a great challenge. Palestinians strive to live freely with dignity and full respect for human rights. They seek to develop a democratic state where notions of political pluralism, non-violence, social equality and the full integration of women in all areas of life, prevail.
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About
CDS
Despite all attempts to achieve about peace and independence during the Oslo
years, the West Bank and Gaza remain under Israeli occupation and domination.
Palestinians have paid a high price, in many respects, for demanding their
rights as stipulated in various international agreements. The years 2000-2001
have witnessed a second Palestinian Intifada which has seen public
participation in peaceful rallies, armed resistance, the re-occupation of
cities and a suffocating siege. These years call for an evaluation of the
period that followed the signing of peace agreements between the Palestinians
and the Israelis (1993). The bases on which the peace process was built, the
performance of the PNA with regard to its economic and social policies and in
the area of institution building must all be assessed. 
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