The Occupied State of Palestine (“Palestine”), as it stands today, consists of two physically separated land masses, namely the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with a total area of 5,661 km2 and 362 km2, respectively.
The West Bank is surrounded by Israel to the west, north, south; and the Jordan River to the east. It is divided into eleven governorates: Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm, Nablus, Qalqiliya, Salfit, Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Jericho, Jerusalem (East Jerusalem), Bethlehem, and Hebron.
The Gaza Strip is a coastal zone at the eastern extreme of the Mediterranean Sea on the edge of the Sinai Desert. It is surrounded by Israel to the east and north, Egypt to the south and the Mediterranean to the west. It is composed of five governorates: North Gaza, Gaza, Deir al Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah.
Palestine has made great strides, particularly over the last five years, to develop the framework for a viable, independent, sovereign state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. This process was bolstered by the recognition of Palestine as an observer non-member state by the UN General Assembly in November 2012.
(source: https://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/Palestine-National-Report.pdf)
Bethlehem University is a Catholic co-educational institution in the Lasallian tradition whose mission is to provide quality higher education to the people of Palestine and to serve them in its role as a center for the advancement, sharing and use of knowledge.
The University emphasizes excellence in academic programs and the development of students as committed people prepared to assume leading positions in society. The University fosters shared values, moral principles, and dedication to serving the common good.
Aida camp was established in 1950 on land UNRWA leased from the government of Jordan. The camp is located between the municipalities of Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Jerusalem. It is partially surrounded by the West Bank Barrier and is near to Har Homa and Gilo, two large Israeli settlements that are illegal under international law.
