Barkat's move to stop the employment of Palestinian workers in Israel

The State of Israel is working towards a significant reduction and the severance of dependence on the employment of Palestinian workers from Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip. As recalled, already at the beginning of the war, the Security Cabinet made a decision to cancel the entry permits of over 100,000 Palestinian workers residing in these regions.

From a figure of approximately 150,000 entry permits on the eve of the October 7 massacre, the number of permits currently stands at less than 20,000. Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat is now promoting a complementary move intended to bring about a complete cessation of the employment of Palestinian workers in Israel.

According to the emerging plan, about 50,000 foreign workers from friendly countries will be brought to Israel in the near future at an accelerated pace. The main goal of the program is to reach a situation where the Israeli economy will no longer need the entry of Palestinian workers from Judea and Samaria into the country's territory.

Senior officials in the Ministry of Economy estimate that Minister Barkat's initiative is expected to bring an end to the era of dependence on Palestinian workers. According to them, this is a profound conceptual change concerning Israel's national security and economic resilience. The officials noted that the move will not only contribute to the efficiency of the economy, but is primarily intended to make the country safer and more independent in terms of manpower.