Chris Hedges: Why Israel Lies

[JDPriestly]

146. How many of the Palestinians would have ancestral homes in the

areas already designated for them, where they now live?

A fairly considerable number of Palestinians already live in what is considered Israeli territory. If those Palestinians who have left the area are given citizenship in the countries in which they now live, the population at issue would be less than 3.9 million.

Since 2007, the number of immigrants given permanent residence in the US has averaged around one million per year (if I am reading this website correctly; it is late so please correct me if I am wrong).

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/neighbors-won-t-be-serving-1.171577

Canadian immigration:

Since 2001, immigration has ranged between 221,352 and 262,236 immigrants per annum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Canada

Australian visas:

The Humanitarian program for 2012–13 is set at 20,000 places, an increase of 6,250 from the previous year. This category includes a 12 per cent target for Woman at Risk visas. This allocation also includes Onshore Protection visas granted to people who apply for protection in Australia and are found to be refugees.[16] In 2010–11, a total of 13,799 visas were granted under the Humanitarian Program. A total of 5,998 visas were granted under the offshore component, including 759 Woman at Risk visas. In addition, 2,973 Special Humanitarian Program visas were granted to people outside Australia. A total of 4,828 visas were granted to people in Australia.[17]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Australia

When I look at the birthrate among Palestinians and Israelis, it is depressingly high for such a small area of the earth.

Generally, poor nations have high birth rates. That applies to the West Bank and to Gaza Strip.

There are several lists regarding birth rates. Here is one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories_by_birth_rate

Regardless of the dispute between Palestinians and Israel, the birth rates in the area and in Africa in general make me pessimistic about the economic future in the Middle East and Africa.