In Palestine, people that live in the West Bank or the Gaza strip live in refugee camps and others live in modest homes in modern towns. If a Palestinian lives in a rural area, Islamic values are strictly followed and they live in humbling conditions compared to other Palestinians who live in a modern city. A normal Palestinian house in a city is one story and is usually made from white stone. These houses have a bathroom, small bedrooms, one kitchen, and a sitting area. However, wealthier families will have two story homes. The second story is used for entertaining and contains the living quarters and the first story is used for storage or utilities. Most people have electricity, plumbing, and gardens. Also, both rich and normal Palestinian families surround their homes with a high wall and have a gate. Saldy, other Palestinians who live in refugee camps are not as fortunate because they live in tiny cement block huts. These cement huts usually have a metal door and a metal roof. Since the huts do not have a kitchen, food has to be prepared with a metal grate that is heated up by charcoal. For beds, these Palestinians have thin mats that are laid out on the hard floor. Obviously, these huts do not have plumbing; therefore, bathing and washing clothes is done by metal drums that are filled with water from the community's well.
Due to the complicated relationship and fighting between Palestine and Israel, majority of Palestinians and their communities are restricted to the best shopping facilities, roads, and jobs because these features are more found in Israeli areas. This adds to the problems between Palestinians and Israelis. Rich Palestinians are privileged and have great political connections. This allows them access to move in and out of Palestinian territories when they want to. Therefore, they have access to better education and jobs which allows them to have larger homes, and hire maids. Some wealthy Palestinian families will purchase two cars as a symbol for their wealth. On the contrary, Palestinians who are poor live in more rural areas and do not get as great of an education and cannot move in and out of the Palestinian territories freely.
One thing that both the rich and poor have in common, is wanting an education for the children in their family. Almost half of Palestine’s population is composed of children under the age of fifteen. Therefore, in some cities like Gaza there plentiful literary and cultural centers for all learning levels. Also, majority of children have the opportunity to get a free education from kindergarten to high school. Rich families will send their children off to an Islamic or Christian school. Palestine has eight universities and four colleges because they believe getting a degree is very important.
There are certain social customs that Palestinians share no matter their social status. When meeting, women will kiss one another on the cheeks and men will shake each others hands. Since Palestinians take pride in hospitality, neighbors commonly make short visits to socialize. During these encounters, coffee, tea, and little desserts will be shared and offered. Palestinians also care about how they dress. No matter the social status or where one lives, women and men cover their heads. Also, women must cover their shoulders. Women in major and more modern cities can dress more modern and more like the Western culture compared to women who live in a rural area.
Sources:
http://yfuusa.org/media/yes_lounge/Gaza%20and%20the%20Palestinian%20West%20Bank.pdf
