As of: 07/12/2022 7:46 p.m
Just in time for US President Biden’s visit, Israel announces “confidence-building measures” towards the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Thousands should get the chance to valid papers.
Israel has announced that it wants to bring relief to thousands of people in the Palestinian Gaza Strip and West Bank. According to a report by the AP news agency, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has already approved the measures. The announcement comes exactly one day before US President Joe Biden is expected to make his first visit to the Middle East.
The “confidence-building measures,” as the Israeli government has dubbed the plans, are primarily about issuing valid papers and work permits. Media had consistently reported that tens of thousands of undocumented people lived in Gaza and the West Bank.
Thousands are to be included in population registers
According to the announcement from Tel Aviv, around 5,500 Palestinians living in these areas are to be included in the so-called Palestinian population register. This register is kept by Israel itself. Anyone listed there can obtain valid papers such as an ID card.
Israel also plans to issue around 1,500 work permits that will allow Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to legally work in Israel. With these announced work permits, a total of around 15,500 people from the Gaza Strip would then be officially allowed to work in Israel.
US calls for two-state solution
US President Biden wants to visit Israel as well as travel to the West Bank to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on his trip to the Middle East. Like Germany, the USA is committed to a two-state solution – that is, to an independent Palestinian state.