Serious dislocations are expected this week in Israel’s economy as tens of thousands of Arab workers will be absent from their jobs. An estimated 100,000 Arabs from the administered territories, including 60,000 from the Gaza Strip, work in Israel proper. Workers from the Gaza Strip were not allowed to leave the area after an Israeli army officer was shot dead there Sunday. Arabs are also observing the feast of Id-Al-Adha which began Monday night.
In addition, some 3,900 Israeli Arabs are on the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and will not return to Israel until next week. According to reports from Mecca, none of the Israeli Arabs was reported injured in the Mecca riots last Friday. However, three Arab residents of the territories were reported killed in the riots.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
