An-Najah Staff

A method for estimating the population size of the Palestinians in  West Bank (WB) and Gaza Strip (GS) is proposed. Given the fact that the  only comprehensive census in these two areas was made by the Israeli  Occupation Authorities in 1967, our method is based on a mathematical  model and on some reliable figures such as the numbers of students in  schools taken from these two areas. Sensitivity is studied, in particular  elasticity between the estimated size of the considered population and  its growth rate, has been discussed. Finally, Several comparisons were  made between our estimates and those made by four main Israeli sources.  Three levels estimates were calculated, namely the minimum, medium  and maximum of population size in WB and GS. These three levels are  estimated up to the year 2010 . Thus our proposed model can serve as a  flexible substitute for an absent census or/and as a concrete basis for any  future census.