There were no trials. I was first elected to office while I was still in prison. The Palestinian people greeted with joy the first victories of the peace process. After the peace agreements, we were optimistic, we could start factories, build housing, develop our agriculture, our schools. Now, he said, the economy in the West Bank and Gaza is actually worse than before the peace process started.
Investment is impossible in the current atmosphere.
Jerusalem is only 10 minutes away, but because of the Israeli closure, it takes hours. In less than three years, millions of Christian pilgrims are expected to arrive in Bethlehem and Beit Sahour to celebrate the third millennium of the birth of Jesus. We had promises of assistance from Italy, Germany. We have plans to build hotels. The Oslo Agreement states that all the Palestinian refugees are to be released from the camps and return to their homes.