Israel’s Ben-Gvir opposes return of Palestinians to work in settlements

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday voiced his objection to allowing Palestinian workers to return to work in Israel.

"My position on the matter is known to all — the introduction of Palestinian workers from the Palestinian Authority, which supports terrorism, into the State of Israel endangers the citizens," Ben-Gvir said in a letter to National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi.

He claimed that the entry of Palestinian workers into Israel and West Bank settlements "opens the door to a re-enactment of the events of October 7."

The far-right minister had earlier accused Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip of collaborating with Hamas in carrying out its Oct. 7 attack.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, between 8,000 and 10,000 Palestinian laborers from the West Bank will return to their jobs in Israeli settlements and businesses in the occupied territory in the coming days following a decision by the army central command.

The decision was taken following a request by Israeli employers to allow Palestinians to return to work in settlements.

Official Palestinian and Israeli figures estimate that some 178,000 Palestinian laborers had worked in Israel and West Bank settlements before the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar