Economic activity in Palestine contracted by nearly 1% in real terms in 2014, the IMF says, on the back of mounting political tensions in the West Bank, and the war in Gaza. This represents the first year-on-year contraction since 2006, and comes as GDP in Gaza declined around 15%, though West Bank GDP rose 4.5%.

Unemployment in the Palestinian territories, remains at around 41% in Gaza and 19% in the West Bank. (CONTINUED - 345 WORDS)