“Israel’s gross diamond exports have crashed by a staggering 45 per cent since the 2014 massacre in Gaza that resulted in the death of over 2,200 people, mainly civilians including over 550 children. The net value of Israel’s diamond exports has fallen even further, by 60 per cent from $11.25 billion to $4.4 billion over the period. This is about the same as the value of Israel’s total arms exports.”

“What struck us instantly was the hospitality and warmth of the Bedouins. Their homes had been demolished a few days ago, but their spirit was not broken. Under a makeshift arrangement, women chatted and cooked a meal. The children were all smiles as they greeted us and shook our hands eagerly, before darting off to play and find some shade from the scorching sun. We sat under a tree and were served coffee, followed by tea.”

“Some of the milestones Najji has used in his designs for the renewed Palestinian pound include the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem, Hisham Palace in Jericho, the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. “Highlighting the historical imprint on the national currency designs reflects the identity of the Palestinian cause, history, and definition and symbols in the Palestinian territories and abroad," said Najji.'“

“The volume of imports from Egypt [to the Palestinian territories] stands at $69 million annually, but that there is significant weakness in exports, which amount to only hundreds of thousands of dollars. He said the government wants to establish joint investments to increase its trade exchange with Jordan from $230 million annually to $1 billion.”

“It may seem odd that a small and poor country that Canada does not even recognise, located half a world away, would matter in the 2019 Canadian election. Yet Palestine does matter - a lot. It featured in the first leader’s debate, on the second day of the election campaign, as Conservative leader Andrew Scheer promised if elected to follow in the footsteps of US President Donald Trump by cutting aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), arguing that it was a factor in fomenting antisemitism across the Middle East.”