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The population of the West Bank is composed primarily of Muslim Palestinian Arabs, many of whom live in large, impoverished refugee camps. In addition, about 198,000 Jewish Israelis live in government-subsidized settlements throughout the West Bank. Although the land in the N West Bank is fertile, lack of resources and Israeli policy over the area have stagnated economic progress. Olives, fruit, and citrus products are produced. Family businesses and small-scale industries manufacture such goods as architectural limestone, cement, and textiles, although investment capital is paltry. The area is also dependent on work in Israel proper for employment.
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