palestinian economy

Palestinians use a rope to climb over the separation barrier from the al-Ram village into East Jerusalem, January 12, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The Palestinians dying for work

Israel shut its borders to West Bank laborers after Oct. 7. But desperation means thousands are finding a way in — and Israeli police keep shooting them.

By Charlotte Ritz-Jack June 12, 2026

Palestinians take part in a mass wedding ceremony in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, August 18, 2018. (Flash90)

Why divorce rates are soaring in the West Bank

A spiraling economic crisis, shrinking job prospects, and Israeli movement restrictions are putting a strain on relationships and destabilizing families.

By Aseel Mafarjeh February 26, 2026

A worn-out banknote in Gaza, Dec. 19 2025. (Ahmed Ahmed)

From cash brokers to crypto, Gazans struggle to stay financially afloat

With banks and ATMs destroyed, and Israel blocking new banknotes, Palestinians face a liquidity crisis and an economy shattered by Israel’s war.

By Ahmed Dremly December 19, 2025

Latest

A fisherman checks the fish he managed to catch, on the beach of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, December 7, 2024. (Ruwaida Amer)

‘Anyone who goes near the water risks his life. But if we leave the sea, we die’

Little remains of Gaza’s fishing industry, devastated by the war and years of Israeli restrictions. Yet fishermen are still clinging on to their livelihood.

By Ruwaida Amer March 11, 2025

Israeli forces prevent the residents of the Palestinian village of Az-Zuweidin from grazing on their private pastures and arrest three Palestinians, southern West Bank, May 4, 2024. (Omri Eran Vardi/Activestills)

In the West Bank, Palestinian unemployment is now Israeli policy

After October 7, Israel revoked the work permits of more than 150,000 Palestinians. On top of spiraling settler attacks, my village faces financial ruin.

By Haitham S. January 21, 2025

American President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and advisor Jared Kushner at the White House, May 22, 2017. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Palestinians have every right to reject another Oslo

With the Bahrain workshop, the Trump administration is relying on the same old Oslo model of economy before politics. What needs to be done is to hold Israel accountable. By Sam Bahour After 52 years of Israel’s military occupation of Palestine, there is a fact that cannot be brushed aside: Israel is addicted to the…

By +972 Magazine June 21, 2019

Jared Kushner meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem. (File photo/Handout, U.S. Embassy)

Palestinians need a state, not a ‘business plan’

Jared Kushner believes the first stage to peace is investing capital in Gaza and the West Bank. But just how far can that investment go when Israel is determined to maintain full control of and exploit every aspect of the Palestinian economy? By Sam Bahour President Donald Trump is taking part in an all-out attempt to batter the Palestinians…

By +972 Magazine May 20, 2019

A young Palestinian boy walks by a section of the Palestinian side of the Separation Wall in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Abu Dis. September 29, 2014. (Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90)

A one-state solution would bring economic disaster

A one-state reality won’t likely affect the top tiers of Israeli society. Yet those near bottom of the ladder will inevitably face an economic nightmare. The only solution is for both Israelis and Palestinians to have their own functioning nation states. By Omri Eilat Since the 2015 elections, there has been a growing number of campaigns…

By +972 Magazine January 25, 2017

The UN Security Council votes to pass Resolution 2334, condemning Israeli settlements, 14-0, December 23, 2016. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo)

There’s nothing ‘pro-Israel’ about the UNSC vote — and that’s a good thing

The Israeli Left was quick to praise the UN Security Council’s resolution against the settlements, arguing that it was ‘good for Israel.’ As usual, the Palestinians were left out of the equation. Ever since the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements last Friday, the Israeli Left has, for the most part,…

By Orly Noy December 25, 2016

Palestinian laborers wait outside the Sha’ar Ephraim checkpoint separating the West Bank and Israel for their Israeli employers to pick them up, December 22, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

How every Israeli profits from the occupation

Israel’s government, economy and citizens regularly exploit everything they can from the West Bank, leaving the Palestinians the bare minimum for survival. If Israelis want change, they’ll have to come to terms with reality. Contrary to popular belief, the boycott is not the greatest threat facing Israel, at least not at the moment. However, now…

By Noam Sheizaf June 9, 2015

Israeli soldiers arresting a Palestinian man, September 27, 2008. (Photo by Anne Paq/Activestills.org)

‘Dad’s in prison’: A young Palestinian woman speaks

I teach writing at a Palestinian university in the West Bank. Several of my students have been gracious enough to share their experiences with +972, albeit anonymously. This is the first of four short essays. It was a sunny day. I woke up at six o’clock to get ready for my new life because it…

By Mya Guarnieri Jaradat March 31, 2014

Truck transporting construction materials in Gaza Strip, May 7, 2012. Due to the blockade, construction materials are lacking in Gaza.

When security isn’t enough: Separating Gaza and the West Bank

When the Dutch prime minister offered a way to safely transport goods from Gaza to the West Bank, Prime Minister Netanyahu made sure to put the kibosh on the plan. Why? Because. That’s just the way it is. Security reasons. By Itamar Sha’altiel You may have read in Haaretz that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the Dutch…

By +972 Magazine December 11, 2013

Palestinian employment in Israel and settlements: Restrictive policies, abuse of rights

The high rate of unemployment in the Palestinian territories and the gap in wages and quality of life between the Israeli and Palestinian economies have led to a constant supply of Palestinian workers seeking work with Israeli employers, since the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip began in 1967. The number of workers…

By +972 Resources October 26, 2012