Hamas’ terrorist attack has deepened distrust between Israelis and Palestinians. So much so that the latter can hardly get any jobs in Israeli territory – even though the economy there is in shambles.
Saha Square, in the middle of Hebron, the largest Palestinian city in the West Bank. Taxis are already waiting for customers early in the morning. Fruit and vegetable stands are set up.
On the sidelines are men looking for work. Ibrahim Abu Sneneh hopes to get a few jobs as a taxi driver. He worked in construction in Israel for years. But now he and his family lack money. He has eleven children.
“We worked and slept in Israel. But now the situation is overwhelming us. They are very strict with the permits,” reports Sneneh. “Because of this war, all the workers are staying here. Those who have lived well now have to borrow money. The situation is very difficult and we hope that the war will stop and the situation will improve.”
Terror attack led to unemployment
There were up to 120,000 work permits for Palestinians – before the war. Many of you crossed the border every day. Tens of thousands worked on construction sites. Many also in agriculture. Since the Hamas terrorist attack, this has been over.
Also for Jawer Youni Terafaieh. He is currently doing the interior work in a café and was lucky to find a job in Hebron. But he’s only had four days of work since October 7th, which isn’t enough: “I did painting and decorating work in the area around Be’er Sheva. But since the start of the war we haven’t been able to go to Israel and haven’t worked. “
security interests against economic interests
This is now a problem for Israel’s economy. The construction industry is in ruins, partly because there are no workers. According to the Association of Building Contractors, we are currently only at 15 percent. And there is also a shortage of workers in agriculture.
But Israel’s government is at odds: security interests are opposed to economic interests. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s right-wing finance minister, considers the Palestinian workers a security risk: “The concept that we take on security risks in order to buy peace and security in the West Bank because then they have an income is a concept that failed on October 7th. We should all move on from it.”
Income for many families in the West Bank
In fact, the workers in the West Bank have fed many families – and brought more than the equivalent of 350 million euros in wages to the West Bank. This is also why Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wants work permits to be available again – for him, this contributes to security: “I am of the opinion that we must enable workers to leave the country to work in Israel. Good economy and prosperity for the Palestinians Judea and Samaria are in Israel’s security interest.”
But Israel’s government has not yet been able to reach an agreement. Jawer Youni Tererfaieh is now trying to get all the jobs he can in Hebron. He is not optimistic that he will be able to work regularly in Israel again. “With all the statements that Israel has made, it seems to be difficult to work there again. They say they would even prefer to bring workers from abroad. The Palestinian workers have lost hope.”
That’s why they’ll be back in the big square in Hebron tomorrow – and hope that there’s work after all.