$230,770) in value added tax (vAT). This case is reportedly tbe first of its kind, slnce shops in refugee camps do not come under the jurisdiction of munlcipalitiesor tax offlces but under IJNRWA. In another report, many persons rdere arrested andthelr hooes searched with a view to imposing a h19h VAT. It uas also reported that bakery oeners in Beit J.la called a strike to protest the IeW by tax officials ofIs 5 mlllion (approximatel-y 9384,615) on every bakery. (At-Fajr, 3,24 and 31 August 1984 ) 2lI. It tra s reported that on 16 January 1995, Z,OOO palestinian merchants from East Jerusalem returned their municipal tax bllls (AIE!g) to the Israeli West Jerusalemounlclpality to protest tbe enormous increase ln their 1984 business tax. East Jeruaaleors business property oeners and residents stated that the tax lncrease was 670 per cent over the previous year. (Al-FaJr, 18 ,lanuary 1985) 212. According to a Bank of Israel publication on the economic development in theterritorles in the years 1981-1982, the rapid economic grorrth in the territories had gtopped during these years, GNP did not ri6e and the Local product dropped byI per cent per annun. According to other data contained in the pubLication, at the end of 1982 the Arab population of the west Bank stood at 748,000 and the populatlon of the caza Strip at 476,000. (Hararetz, 16 August 1985) 213. The Israeli nilitary authorlties reportedly confiscated the aun of $57,000 belonglng to three PaLestinlans crossing the bridges from Amnan to the tfest Bank.(Al-Fajr, 2 t{ovember 1984 ) 214. ahe Israeli customs reportedly conflscated a truck transporting citrus fruitsfor a oerchant from Bethlehem, alleging that the perruit had expired five minutes before tbe truck had b€en stopped. The value of the fruit nas estimated atIs 800'000 ($6f,538). (Al-Fajr, I February 1985)
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a collection of news articles and reports related to economic issues in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, specifically regarding taxation, business, and trade. The articles mention various economic indicators such as GNP, local product, and VAT, as well as confiscation of goods and money by Israeli authorities. The text does not touch on natural resources, environment, agriculture, forestry, fishing, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development, Industry