Shrinking Space: Urban Contraction and Rural Fragmentation of Bethlehem Governorate | May 2009

This report examines how Israeli measures, such as the Barrier, settlements and closures have impacted Palestinian livelihoods, development and residential expansion in the Bethlehem governorate. Only 13% of Bethlehem land is available for Palestinian use out of 660 sq. kilometres and much of it is fragmented. However, actions like freezing construction of the Barrier inside the West Bank, and opening closed military areas and nature reserves for Palestinian development, could restore parts of the lost space to the governorate.