Siege on Hebron’s Beit Ula industrial zone threatens Palestinian economy
Summary
Israeli forces blocked entrances to the Beit Ula industrial zone on November 4, restricting access for about 60 Palestinian businesses and threatening the livelihoods of roughly 2,500 workers. Factory owner Fayez al-Amleh said his sales and workers’ hours fell sharply after the closure, which also disrupted the movement of supplies and products.Key Facts
- Israeli forces sealed entrances to the industrial zone with earthen berms and stone barriers on November 4.
- The zone contains about 60 Palestinian businesses and employs roughly 2,500 workers.
- Al-Amleh’s factory makes security and fire-resistant doors and employs 70 people.
- Al-Amleh said the factory’s daily sales fell from 70,000 shekels to between 2,000 and 3,000 shekels after the closure.
- Some factory workers had their hours reduced or were moved to part-time work.
- Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Jabari said the siege on Hebron caused losses of more than 12 million shekels a day.
- Israeli military operations followed the killing of two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near Hebron on October 23; Israeli forces left the city on November 2.
- Industrial and agricultural activity around Beit Ula has also been affected by the restrictions.
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