The Construction Crisis Moves the File.. Secret Efforts to Bring Palestinian Workers Back to Israel

SadaNews - The Israeli channel i24NEWS revealed that the President of the occupying state, Isaac Herzog, is secretly working to revive a previously removed initiative from the agenda, which is the return of Palestinian workers to Israel under strict security measures, given the current economic crisis in the labor force in Israel, especially in the construction and renovation sector.

According to the channel, the initiative, formulated by the Shabak, was already raised in recent months and caused a stir among Israeli coalition ministers who strongly opposed it.

Last March, under political pressure, the Prime Minister of the occupying state, Benjamin Netanyahu, withdrew the plan from the agenda. Now, Herzog is trying to reopen the discussion despite the opposition, including from Netanyahu himself, according to the Hebrew report.

The Hebrew channel continues: "Since the expulsion of Palestinian workers from Israel following the events of October 7, the economy has been facing a severe labor shortage, with official Israeli estimates suggesting about 40,000 missing workers, but on the ground, they talk about a much higher number - especially in light of the significant damages caused by the war with Iran and the need for extensive reconstruction in northern and southern Israel."

It added: "Last week, during a meeting with the Contractors Association in Israel chaired by Ilan Gourdo, President Herzog said: (There should be a reconsideration of allowing Palestinian workers entry - according to strict security standards. It is a grave mistake not to allow them to enter at a time when the Israeli economy urgently needs a workforce)."