In the face of a severe labor shortage, the farming community in Israel is urging the reintegration of Palestinian workers into agricultural fields. The National Farmers Association calls for developing a strategy to attract Jewish workers and contemplates the return of demobilized soldiers to work on the land. Importing foreign labor is deemed insufficient to resolve the industry's challenges.
According to data from the Knesset Research Center, Palestinians constituted 21% of the agricultural workforce in 2019, increasing to a quarter in 2022. Farmers emphasize that hiring Palestinian workers is more accessible and economically advantageous than importing foreign labor.
As an alternative, an expedited agricultural reform is proposed, involving gradually removing customs duties on importing vegetables and fruits. Farmers also advocate for the reinstatement of settlement programs and the combination of education with work in agriculture for students. The National Farmers Association underscores the necessity of a responsible policy to address the crisis in the agricultural sector.
Source: detaly.co.il