Libi Construction Begins Hiring Foreign Workers to Replace Palestinian Labor in West Bank

Eliav Libi, founder of Libi Construction and Infrastructure, announced a significant policy shift in a letter to company employees, explaining the decision to start employing foreign workers alongside Jewish workers for the first time since the company's establishment. This change aims to provide an alternative to hiring Palestinian labor while maintaining the value of Hebrew labor. The company, which has for over a decade proudly promoted exclusively Jewish labor and contributed to the development of dozens of construction firms operating under this principle, now seeks to strengthen building and settlement efforts in Judea and Samaria without employing Palestinians.

Libi cited the aftermath of the October 7 attacks as a turning point, noting that many settlements decided to ban Arab workers from entering, leading to a decline in construction activity. This situation, however, created an opportunity to expand construction and settlement by introducing foreign workers. After extensive consultation with religious leaders, settlement officials, professionals, and company employees, Libi emphasized that this decision does not represent a change in the company's values but rather a new approach to realizing them under current realities.

He reaffirmed that Hebrew labor remains the highest ideal and spiritual priority, but acknowledged that employing foreign workers is a necessary compromise to avoid reliance on Palestinian labor, which he criticized for economically strengthening Israel's adversaries. Libi also criticized existing regulations that mandate hiring foreign workers through agencies, increasing costs and inadvertently making Palestinian labor more economically attractive. He called on the government to remove regulatory barriers and establish national oversight to regulate foreign workers' entry and exit, ensuring Hebrew labor continues to be the ultimate goal.

Libi concluded that employing foreign workers is a preferable alternative to employing enemies, enabling continued development of Israel, strengthening Hebrew labor, and reducing dependence on Palestinian workers in the West Bank settlements.