Palestine

Palestine is a territory in the Middle East comprising the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem claimed as its capital. The State of Palestine was proclaimed in 1988 by the Palestine Liberation Organisation and has since been recognised by more than 130 countries, though it holds non-member observer state status at the United Nations rather than full membership. The territory is home to about five-million Palestinians and has a developing economy heavily constrained by the Israeli occupation, restrictions on movement and access to resources, and recurring conflict. Key economic sectors include agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, construction and services, though unemployment remains high and the economy depends significantly on international aid and remittances. The Palestinian Authority, established under the 1990s Oslo Accords, exercises limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank, while Gaza has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Palestine's currency is primarily the Israeli shekel, though Jordanian dinars and US dollars also circulate. The territory is a member of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Palestine's political status remains one of the most contentious issues in international relations, with ongoing negotiations over statehood, borders, refugees and Jerusalem's status. The question of Palestinian statehood and relations with Israel frequently features in African diplomatic discourse, particularly within forums such as the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement.