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Gaza Workers Let Back in Israel after 15 Years
(Media Line) Ksenia Svetlova - Recently, Israel increased the number of Gazans allowed to work in Israel under "merchant permits" to 10,000, although 90% of them are not engaged in trade. Issam Ghazaleh, a resident of Gaza City, said thousands of desperate men have applied for "merchant permits." "This is the only way to...have an opportunity to earn some money and provide for your family." Ghazaleh used to work in Israel until the Second Intifada broke out in 2000. Fayyez, a Palestinian who currently works in Ashkelon, said, "We want to work; we don't want to depend on food cards or charity packages. Palestinians from Gaza always worked in Israel, and both sides benefited." He and his brothers and sons worked for many years in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom. The unemployment rate in Gaza exceeded 50% in 2021, which is why many Gazans equate an Israeli work permit to a winning lottery ticket. IDF Maj.-Gen. (res.) Kamil Abu Rukun, former Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, said 10,000 work permits will inject $323 million into the Gazan economy.