Increase in West Bank Population

In the past three years, the number of Arabs in the West Bank increased considerably, reversing a decline in the last few years, according to a Bank of Israel survey.

The decline was the result of more Arabs leaving than entering the West Bank. Although there are still more Arabs leaving than coming in, the number of Arabs leaving has decreased considerably, the study showed. It is estimated that last year only 4,000 more left than entered, compared to 11,000 who emigrated in 1982, 21,000 in 1981, and 22,400 in 1980.

At the end of 1982, the Arab population in the administered territories numbered 1.224 million — 758,000 in the West Bank and 476,000 in the Gaza Strip. In addition, there are some 80,000 Arabs in East Jerusalem, which is considered as part of Israel. The growth rate in 1981 and 1982 was about 2.1 percent, compared to a larger growth rate in the second half of the 1970’s.

According to the Bank of Israel survey, the decrease in emigration is due to an economic slowdown in the Arab countries and the high rate of employment in Israel.

BRISK TRAFFIC OVER JORDAN BRIDGES

In another survey, Shmuel Goren, coordinator of government affairs in the administered territories, released figures yesterday showing that some 1,600 Arabs cross the two bridges over the Jordan River into Israel daily, the maximum the bridge facilities could handle. Goren said Israel was investigating the possibility of opening a third bridge to reduce the inconvenience to the travellers who now have to wait long intervals of time to make the crossing because of the heavy traffic flow.

Goren expressed the belief that the number of Arabs coming into the administered territories for summer visits has increased because of the relative calm in the areas and the growing rate of unemployment in some of the Arab countries. As for traffic from Israel and the occupied areas, Goren said that of the 6,000 Arabs who have applied to go on the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca, only 2,600 will actually make the trip.