Israel said Wednesday it will give 16,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank permits to work in construction and hotel industries in Jewish settlements.
The new increase will bring the number of Palestinians working in Israeli hotel and construction industries to more than 100,000.
Talks between Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas culminated in the increase in work permits.
“We want to apply it as fast as possible. It’s in the interest of both sides,”an Israeli security source told AFP, with the new deal expected to enter into force next week.
The Israeli government is expected to approve it next week, the said, adding:
“Israel intends to increase by 15,000 workers the quota of Palestinian residents of Judea and Samaria (the southern and northern West Bank) working in the field of construction,” the Israeli military body responsible for civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, COGAT, said.
1,000 permits will be issued to Palestinians working in Israeli hotels.
Gaza Strip locals are not allowed to work in Israel, and those allowed from the West Bank complain that while Jobs in Israel offer higher wages than those in Palestinian-administered areas, do not get paid as much as their Israeli counterparts or receive labor benefits.
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