The Statistics Bureau notes that the large increase in population compared to the last Israeli figures from the mid-1990's stems from systematic underreporting of the Palestinian population, high birthrates and the return of thousands of Palestinians following the 1993 Oslo agreement. The figures, however, have been disputed by both Palestinians and Israelis. Palestinians have pointed out that the population for Gaza is unexpectedly low while others point out that the census does not give the actual number of Palestinians with refugee status but only the smaller number living in the camps.
The population figure for East Jerusalem, meanwhile, is based on partial data due to Israeli measures to block Palestinian census takers from operating in the city. It is also uncertain which borders were used for Jerusalem. Israel officials maintain the Palestinian population to be between 170,000 and 180,000 however, Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics records the 1995 Palestinian population at 174,400. Accounting for the minimal rate of increase by birth, this would bring the figure to at least 186,000 by the end of 1997. The release of more details, including the borders used for the Jerusalem census, should provide a more accurate view of the Palestinian population in the territories.
