Industry in Judea and Samaria – Beneficial for everybody

Organizations that call for an economic boycott against the industry in Judea and Samaria badly affect the residents of that region – both Arabs and Jews, and the chances for coexistence.

We often hear the statement that the settlements in Judea and Samaria cause damages to the Palestinian population of the region, and that the prosperity of the settlements is obtained at the expense of the local villages. At the same time various Israeli, as well as global organizations call for an economic boycott of goods produced by the industry in Judea and Samaria, and at times of the entire state of Israel.

The Palestinian Authority decided over two years ago to support these attempts and called for a boycott of the Israeli industry and for the termination of Palestinians employment by industrial plants in Judea and Samaria. Yet, in fact, up till this moment Palestinians workers continue to work for the Israeli industry, and their numbers increase by the year.

An examination of the relevant facts reveals a different image of reality. The Israeli rule over Judea and Samaria brought about a development boom and prosperity for the Palestinian residents. Much greater than in any other Arab state in the region, and also greater than the rate of development Palestinians experienced under Jordanian rule. There is no doubt that the more Palestinians cooperate with Israel, the better will be their condition.

In order to understand the effecting forces in this respect one must know some facts: there are 14 industrial areas and large agricultural factories, hosting some 800 plants, operating within the Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley regions. These entities employ some 17,000 workers, of which some 12,000 are residents of the Palestinian Authority.

According to data published by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, these workers earn two or three times more than the average salary among the Palestinian public, while also gaining social benefits as specified by Israeli law. Considering the structure of Arab society which is based on large families (Hamulah), one can assume that these workers support over 130,000 souls. (And that is in addition to the workers working within Israeli borders).

According to a research conducted at the Al-Quds University, it appears that as of 2010, the scope of private Palestinian capital investment in Israel runs between 2.5 and 5.8 billion dollars, while the scope of Palestinian investment with the Authority's territory is merely about 1.58 billion dollars. According to this data, these funds are invested both within the settlements' areas and within the Israeli borders, and mainly invested in traditional industry and the building sector.

In this light we can more easily understand the words of the Quartet's representative, Fihras Raed:

"I will be pushing at an open door by reminding that cooperation between the large and developed economy of Israel, that offers knowledge, transition capabilities and contacts with foreign markets, and the small Palestinian economy, that offers inexpensive quality workforce – is highly beneficial for both parties"

 

Indexes of the Quality of Life in Palestinian Authority

Beyond that, an inspection of several indexes of the life-quality of Palestinian population shows that under the rule of Israel their conditions were significantly improved, both with respect to their previous conditions, as well as with respect to similar development in Arab nations.

Thus for example, between 1967 and 1993 the Palestinian GDP per capita grew from 904 NIS to 3392 NIS; and the total water supply doubled itself from 64 million cubic meters per year to 120, while over 90% of this was supplied to households through modern piping.

 

GDP per capita in Judea and Samaria 1968-1993

According to the central bureau of statistics, state accounts of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza region

GDP per capita in Judea and Samaria 1968-1993

According to the central bureau of statistics, state accounts of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza region

 

Total water supply to Judea and Samaria 1968-1993

Total water supply to Judea and Samaria 1968-1993 (Cubic meter per year)

 

When inspecting further indexes related with the life quality of Palestinian residents it appears that their state is much better than the state of their kin in Arab states. The literacy rate among Palestinians for example is one of the highest in the Mediterranean region (92%), rated above Egypt (71%), Syria (81%) and Jordan (91%).

Palestinian life expectancy is also one of the highest in the region at 74 years, compared with Egypt (70), Lebanon (72) and Jordan (73).

An examination of the relative part of the cost of food in the general vacant income provides a similar insight: Palestinians in Judea and Samaria spend 33.8% of their income on food, compared with 38.8% in Jordan. And the cost of housing is of the lowest in the region, at 8% compared with 15% in Lebanon or 26.9% in Israel. Another index that provides interesting insights regarding the life quality of Palestinian residents is the rate of their exposure to the Internet. According to data, Palestinian exposure rates are much higher than the regional average, almost reaching western standards:

Percentage of internet users within the general population

These conclusions also find their expression in public opinion polls conducted among various population segments. In one of these polls which, was conducted among the East Jerusalem population, the interviewees were asked where they would prefer to live in case the vision of two states for two nations actualizes. Despite the common nationalist rhetoric, 35% of the interviewees replied that they would prefer Israel, compared with 30% who prefer Palestine.

 

Further than that, when they were asked how they would act in case their neighborhood is to be annexed to Israel, 54% of the interviewees stated that they would remain where they are under Israeli rule, compared with only 27% who would move to another neighborhood under Palestinian rule.

 

In the opposite scenario where the neighborhood is to be transferred to Palestinian rule, 40% stated that they will prefer to move to another neighborhood under Israeli rule, compared with 37% who would stay where they are.

 

An inspection of these data and facts leads to a conclusion by which not only that the Israeli rule is responsible for the unprecedented past development boom in the Judea and Samaria regions, but also for the fact that the key for further development and prosperity for these local residents relies on cooperation with Israel and on increased mutual investment and business activity in this region.

If the attempted boycott succeeds, manufacturers who employ dozens and hundreds of employees and who rely on export will be forced to dismiss workers. Those dismissed include thousands of Palestinians who might be forced to relocate to other places both locally and worldwide, thus adding tens of thousands families in Palestinian society to the unemployment cycle, while affecting the local population of both parties.

Therefore industry and development must be left out of the political debate concerning the future of the region.

Furthermore, it is those who support the industry and encourage the trade of industrial and agricultural goods manufactured in Judea and Samaria, who eventually contribute to the quality of the life of Palestinian residents and to the ability to achieve coexistence based on mutual respect and peace.