We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: (UPD) ISR PAL WAR ECONMIC IMPACT
HEADLINE: Effects of War Put Squeeze on West Bank’s Economy and Israeli Construction Industry
TEASER: Businesses are suffering, work permits for Palestinians working in Israel have been revoked and Palestinian Authority employees have not been paid properly in weeks
PUBLISHED: 12/14/23 AT 12:30
BYLINE: Henry Wilkins
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Ramallah, West Bank
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Wilkins
VIDEO EDITOR: Henry Wilkins
SCRIPT EDITORS: DLJ; CAW, djones approved
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, Zoom
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:56
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
[[EDS: Updates with Zoom courtesy to Ater sot and deletes editor’s notes in red.]
((INTRO)) [[The war between Israel and Hamas means the economy in the West Bank is suffering. Employees of the Palestinian Authority have not been paid properly in weeks and work permits for Palestinians working in Israel have been revoked, those being just two of the issues. In this report from Ramallah in the West Bank, Henry Wilkins speaks to tradsmen whose businesses have ground to a halt, as commentators say the squeeze could lead to civil unrest.]]
((NARRATOR))
In one of Ramallah’s industrial zones, Abu Mohammed Yacoub, a metal fabricator who makes grills for windows and gates, says since the war started in October, customers have little money, and checks from those who have put in orders usually bounce.
He says prices from his suppliers have skyrocketed.
((Abu Mohammed Yacoub, Metal Fabricator (in Arabic, ??secs))
“No one can go to Israel to bring supplies, because travel permits have been taken away. That’s why products and raw materials are more expensive. Anyone who still has stock from before the war is selling it at higher prices too.”
((For radio: Yacoub says no one can go to Israel for supplies, because travel
permits have been taken away. That’s why products and raw materials are more expensive, he says. Anyone who still has stock from before the war is selling it at higher prices.”))
((NARRATOR))
Permits to work in Israel have been revoked too.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of the National Economy, since October 7th, Israel has revoked travel permits for as many as 130,000 Palestinians who previously worked or did business in Israel, making it hard, if not impossible, for them to earn a living.
Israeli politicians have cited security concerns over Palestinians entering Israeli territory as the main reason.
But problems with the West Bank's economy due to the war do not end there.
Because the West Bank does not control its borders, Israel collects import taxes on its behalf. Aside from the extra vehicle searches, since October, the Palestinian Authority, which administers the West Bank, has refused to accept the tax payments in protest, after Israel sought to withhold some of them due to the war in Gaza.
Since then, the PA has not been able to fully pay employees, like Muathe El-Barghouti, who works in a department focused on countering Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
((Muathe El-Barghouti, Palestinian Authority Employee (in Arabic, Male, ?? secs))
“Of course, the economic situation affects us, but we have to cope with the conditions imposed by the occupiers. [The Israelis] say it’s to avoid paying salaries for terrorists' families, but this is an Israeli policy targeting every Palestinian.”
((For radio: “Of course, the economic situation affects us, he says, “But we have to cope with the conditions imposed by the occupiers. They say the policy is to avoid paying salaries for terrorists' families,” he says, “But this is an Israeli policy targeting every Palestinian.”))
((NARRATOR))
El-Barghouti says he has received only around 17% of his usual pay in the last three months.
More Israeli checkpoints on the roads are causing problems too.
((Ismat Mansour, Independent Analyst (in Arabic))
“The impact of the Israeli checkpoints [set up since October] is significant: it means agricultural products that need to be moved rot, and products are damaged and delayed ... Everything takes more time, gas, and transportation expenses, making products unprofitable for Palestinians.”
((For radio: Independent analyst Ismat Mansour says the impact of Israeli checkpoints is significant: it means agricultural products that need to be moved rot, and products are damaged and delayed. He says, everything takes more time, gas, and transportation expenses, making products unprofitable for Palestinians.”))
((NARRATOR))
On whether there’s an end in sight to the West Bank’s economic woes, one expert said Israel will likely have to let Palestinian workers back in eventually.
((Itai Ater, Tel Aviv University Economics Professor (in English, 22 secs))
((Mandatory Zoom))
“They’re talking about doing it gradually, different ages, more security checks. I’m not sure they’re doing it at the right pace, but I think this is going to happen. How quickly? Let’s see.”
((NARRATOR))
There is concern among political commentators that unless something is done soon to end the squeeze in the West Bank, it could lead to civil unrest and more security problems for Israel.
((Henry Wilkins, VOA News, Ramallah, the West Bank))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 14, 2023 12:47 EST
BylineHenry Wilkins
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English, US Agency for Global Media
