Israeli blockade minimizes Palestinians’ chance to find work in occupied territories

Ruby Shabbit
Press TV, Gaza

Tens of thousands of Palestinians are lining up in front of the Chambers of Commerce across the Gaza Strip, hoping to get permits from the Israeli side to work in the occupied territories and the West Bank.

This follows rumors saying that more permits are set to be issued for the first time following the recent escalation in the Gaza strip.

In light of the deteriorating economic situation in Gaza, with a high unemployment rate of over 53%, and poverty reaching about 70%, Palestinians hope to obtain permits to find work opportunities in the occupied territories and the West Bank that will help them reduce their poverty.

Since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, it no longer allowed Gaza workers to obtain permits that would enable them to work. Tens of thousands of workers used to go out every day to work in the occupied territories in the fields of construction, agriculture, industry and tourism as their only source of income.

Chamber of Commerce says Israel should be held accountable for the growing rate of unemployment in Gaza.

The daily hardships endured by Palestinians along with the crippling blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip have caused hundreds to search for work opportunities outside Gaza. Palestinians have called on the international community to end the siege and develop solutions to reduce high rates of poverty and unemployment in the coastal sliver.

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