Video - Head of the Contractors Union to SadaNews: "We will take legal action against any construction company proven to cooperate with settlement projects"

SadaNews - Numerous challenges face the construction sector in Palestine due to the financial crisis within the Palestinian government, alongside the difficult economic situation in the West Bank, not to mention the decline in economic activity.

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Regarding these challenges, the head of the Palestinian Contractors Union, Ahmad Al-Qadi, stated during his conversation with SadaNews that "the construction sector has been going through very difficult conditions since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and the war on the Gaza Strip, as well as the Israeli sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority". He clarified that "funding and delays in payment of financial dues by the owning or governmental entities are among the most prominent challenges, which leads to the stoppage or hindrance of projects".

He continued: "There is also a weakness in bank repayments, as funding for projects by banks has decreased due to increased risks and lack of guarantees, non-payments by the contractual deadlines, in addition to the rising cost of financing, guarantees, and tenders. He emphasized that the absence of political stability greatly affects this sector.

Cooperation of construction companies with settlement projects

There have been complaints from citizens and observations shared with SadaNews about the presence of trucks bearing Arab names at the sites of settlement projects, whether for road construction or buildings for settlers. What is the position of the Palestinian Contractors Union?

In this regard, Al-Qadi stated in his conversation with SadaNews: "Construction companies enjoy a high level of ethical, professional, and national commitment", denying the existence of any Palestinian construction company cooperating with the Israeli government.

He added: "If it is proven that a company is cooperating with these projects, we will take our legal measures against it, and the company will be completely expelled from the Contractors Union and shunned from the entire construction sector".

He further stated: "If there are companies working and cooperating with the occupation, they are companies not registered with us and falsely claim to be construction companies; they do not belong to our Union or the Contractors Syndicate. However, even if they are not registered, they will be legally pursued in Palestinian courts for tarnishing the construction sector".