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Scores of Palestinian employees, mainly members of the security apparatus staff, have quit their jobs in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to work in Israel.
These employees have chosen to take the risk and put their lives on the line to illegally work in Israel so they are able to pay back their debts and survive financially.
One employee from Hebron, who refused to give his name for security reasons said that he works for the PNA as a telecommunication technician and receives a salary of 1,800 Shekels (USD 456).
“I was told about a hole in the Israeli segregation barrier in the town of Dahiriyah near Hebron which tens of Palestinian employees who have quit their jobs with the PNA have used so they can reach Israel and work there,” said the employee who was only identified as (Sh.D).
Near Al Dahiriyah, the Israelis have set up a rock quarry on Palestinian territory. Laborers have ensured that that part of the barrier was not electrified to enable Israeli contractors to reach the site.
“At night, laborers reach the barrier with steal cutters and create a hole which enables scores of laborers to jump through and reach Israel to work there,” he said.
“I, just like many other employees, am ready to sacrifice six months a year in Israeli jails in return for working in Israel for the other six months in Israel. That will be a lifetime opportunity and fair enough for thousands of PNA public servants.”
Many Palestinian employees, mainly those who work in the Palestinian security apparatus, are denied Israeli work permits. “Almost none will remain in that apparatus or the government bodies should they be granted work permits,” said another police officer who was identified as (D.O).
“We care for our families and the focus for us has shifted from the homeland to daily bread,” he stressed. “The PNA policies have played the fundamental role in this regrettable shift,” he said.
A senior Palestinian security official declined to comment on the issue but claimed that the PNA is affected by the absence of a number of employees, mainly security staff below the rank of officer.
