As Ramadan approaches, the Israeli army begins to lift the movement restrictions it had imposed in the West Bank since October 7. But after four and a half months of war, the Palestinian economy is very weakened: the crisis affects all sectors.
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From our special correspondent in Bethlehem
Since October 7, Bethlehem and its holy sites have hardly seen any tourists. The sector brought the city to life but today, the crisis affects hotels, restaurants… and even souvenir stores, testifies Issa Musleh. “ I work on the local market but also internationally. Unfortunately, there is no domestic marketing today. The foreign market only compensates a little. Our work is seasonal: Easter and Christmas are high times. »
But Christmas did not mark a resurgence of activity and Issa Musleh sees no reason why the Easter celebrations, in a little over a month, would be any different.
The economic impact is felt everywhere. Salary delays are piling up for civil servants, unpaid bills are piling up. Movement restrictions imposed by the Israeli army between Palestinian towns played a role. But for Salem Manoly, at the head of the largest wood importing company, it was above all the revocations of almost all work permits in Israel that weighed, he explains: “ Of course, I hope that they will re-authorize the passage of workers, because for us in Palestine, it is the first economic resource. It is this workforce that brings in the most money. They work for their family but not only: it impacts the entire labor market. »
After more than four months of war, the Israeli army begins to reopen checkpoints. The grip on Palestinian towns is loosening and Salem Manoly is improving. But not yet back to normal: “ In the West Bank, at the beginning, we had some problems. But today the goods are arriving a little. But it takes more time. For example, today I received nine containers at the port of Ashdod, Israel. We were only able to get five of them into the West Bank. Because the crossing point operated before five days a week. Now it’s only open two or three days. »
Since October 7, Salem Manoly has lost 70% of its turnover. And the business leader does not yet see any reason to be optimistic: “ you never know what tomorrow will bring “, he tempers.
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■ In Jenin, West Bank, residents flee raids
In the Jenin refugee camp, in the West Bank, an Israeli strike targeted a vehicle and at least one Palestinian was killed, fifteen others injured, two of them seriously. And in this camp, already targeted by the Israeli army since March 2022, residents have the impression that life has stopped since October 7, reports our correspondent in Jenin, Alice Froussard. Result: some families in the camp leave to sleep elsewhere and take a little respite.
In Fairouz Ismail’s apartment, on the top floor of this Jenin camp building, all the windows were blown out, broken glass everywhere. Result of an explosion two days before during the last raid by the Israeli army.
But for four months, this Palestinian woman has decided: she no longer sleeps in the camp at night. “ I left the refugee camp because I could no longer stand what was happening there. Every day, invasions, shootings, strikes… Did you see the broken ceiling, did you see my windows? We can’t even live in this place anymore, that’s it, I’m leaving. »
Since then, she has rented in Burqin, the neighboring village. A very small bedroom, a bathroom, for her and her son. No money for something bigger when before she lived in 140 square meters. Each time, her heart sinks when she returns where she lived for more than fifteen years: “ When I see my house like this, I get depressed. Obviously, we knew that the army used the house as a base, but they come there more and more. They even turned the place into a detention center at one point: they took the young people and locked them up here. »
And Fairouz is not the only one. Amira, one of her neighbors, left with her husband and four children: “ I couldn’t take it anymore, the children were constantly afraid, the youngest no longer spoke, my body was constantly tired and if we had to buy diapers or milk, we couldn’t for three days. »
Sometimes families decide on a day-to-day basis, some leave for long periods… or permanently. But each time with the same reason because of the Israeli army raids which have become incessant.