Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., December 27, 2007 Tevet 18, 5768 | | Israel Time: 17:18 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine

A census worker surveys a family at Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on Wednesday. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 08:43 27/12/2007 Gaza census renewed as Hamas scales back demand to see data By Amira Hass, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Palestinian Authority, Hamas  Employees of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics began collecting data Monday for a population census in the Gaza Strip after a hiatus of several weeks. In August, the PCBS began a comprehensive survey of populations, economic enterprises, homes and other buildings in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. In late November, the Hamas government in Gaza established a committee to monitor the census-takers' activities in the strip and demanded that it receive all of the collected data in advance. PCBS director Dr. Louay Shabaneh refused the request, on the grounds that the PCBS is not a political organization and owes allegiance only to the Palestinian Authority government in Ramallah. Advertisement In response, the Hamas government closed the PCBS offices and halted work on the census. This week an agreement was reached that has allowed the census to continue, with the mediation of Dr. Mustafa Barghouti and two United Nations agencies. On Monday, nine days after data collection in the West Bank was completed, 1,600 census takers began working in Gaza. The census is expected to take two weeks. The agreement marks the first time since the Hamas takeover of Gaza last June, that the government has climbed down after flexing its muscles in the face of an important PA institution. Barghouti, who in January 2006 was a PA presidential candidate, says the PCBS asked him to mediate in the dispute. Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and a minister in the former PA unity government, was joined by UNFPA, the UN Population Fund, and UNSCO, the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East. The agreement stipulates that PCBS will collect and analyze the data and the results "will be submitted to everyone, including people in Gaza," Barghouti said. The $8.6 million cost of the census is being underwritten by the PA, the UN, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the OPEC states. Shabaneh said Wednesday that the mediation effort succeeded after he and his fellow mediators explained that the PCBS is an independent, nonpolitical, nonpartisan institution that provides services to the entire Palestinian public. The data that is collective is always available to everyone and is posted on the organization's Web site. Shabaneh said the census takers were welcomed warmly into the homes they have visited in Gaza during their first two days of work there. Related articles: Gaza census bureau at center of Hamas-PA dispute over survey Hamas, PA census bureau locked in dispute over Gaza survey Hamas builds separate courts in Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us Maradona irks the Jews The retired soccer legend says he'd like to meet Iranian President Ahmadinejad. A piece of history Descendants of the survivors of the 1929 Hebron massacre buy a home in the city.   1.   Nice bit of Zionist spin there 11:17  |  Clickfool 27/12/07   2.   don`t show you`re nervous by commenting 12:21  |  sue 27/12/07   3.   Hey half-man! 13:45  |  Nik "Banned" Miller 27/12/07   4.   For Sue # 2 13:45  |  Clickfool 27/12/07   5.   Cluickfool no4 14:47  |  Chasaboy 27/12/07   6.   monitor results 17:14  |  mark 27/12/07

Today Online Shmuel Rosner: Israel has Obama's backing to stay a Jewish state Responses: 83 Amira Hass: Will PA ire at settlements spark a new Intifada? Responses: 40 Editorial: They were brought here as Jews, so treat them as such Responses: 33 Aluf Benn: If Hamas stops Qassams, it will win indirect legitimacy Responses: 14 Source: Turkey is studying support from Israel 'very closely' Responses: 47 Rosner's Domain Obama backs Israel as Jewish state Jews, enjoy your mistletoe (WTR) Race for the White House: Iraq issue boosts McCain Poll: The most likely event to happen in 2008 More Headlines 17:13 Benazir Bhutto killed in attack on election rally 17:17 U.S. condemns Bhutto assassination; India: Killing is blow to democracy 17:17 ANALYSIS: Conspiracy theories abound over Bhutto slaying 17:13 Olmert agrees to no new settlements in West Bank 14:12 U.S. Congressman: Syria wrong if it thinks Democrat would give if better deal 14:48 Groups appeal state bid to wrap up mass Ethiopian immigration 15:00 PA: IDF troops arrest two Islamic Jihad commanders in W. Bank 14:18 Source: Turkey worried Israel's support waning over Kurd issue 13:29 Egypt arrests five Sudanese refugees trying to cross into Israel 14:50 State announces plan to aid at-risk youth in Arab towns Previous Editions Select Day 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec

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