Israel Allocates 5,000 Foreign Workers to Reduce Dependence on Palestinian Labor

The Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry, led by Minister Nir Barkat, has approved the allocation of 5,000 foreign workers from peace treaty countries to the commerce and services sectors. This decision, announced on Wednesday, aims to address the severe labor shortage in Israel and eliminate reliance on Palestinian workers and illegal residents from the Palestinian Authority.

This move continues Barkat's policy since the outbreak of Operation Iron Swords, which has seen over 50,000 foreign workers replace Palestinian laborers. The policy was reinforced after a heated debate in the security cabinet following the October 7 attacks, where Barkat opposed Defense Minister Yoav Galant's push to reinstate Palestinian workers, arguing it posed a security risk. Ultimately, Barkat's position prevailed, blocking the return of Palestinian laborers.

The new worker allocation will be divided into two tracks: up to 1,000 workers will be assigned to new employers through a call for applications, while approximately 4,000 workers will be allocated to existing employers without requiring new applications. This is expected to provide a long-term solution for businesses facing labor shortages, including auto repair shops, event halls, and retail chains.

Minister Barkat emphasized that the era of economic dependence on the Palestinian Authority, which he described as supporting terrorism, is over. Backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ministry continues to block Palestinian workers from entering Israel, replacing them with workers from peace treaty countries. Barkat described the strategy as a national security measure that also meets the professional needs of Israeli businesses.