Israel is planning to increase the number of work permits it hands out to West Bank Palestinians to 30,000.
Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot have both recently argued that boosting Palestinian employment is likely to help reduce the terror attacks.
Throughout the wave of Arab violence that began in October 2015, only two attacks have been carried out by Palestinians with valid work permits, one in Tel Aviv and another in Modi'in.
Publicly, the Israeli government has accused Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, of inciting violence. But Israeli security officials have also cited desperation among young Palestinians who see a bleak economic future for the occupied West Bank.
At present, 58,000 Palestinians living in the West Bank have permits to work in Israel. However, it is estimated that around 27,000 work in industrial zones in Israeli West Bank settlements. In addition, tens of thousands of West Bank Palestinians are thought to work in Israel without official permission. The 30,000 additional workers are expected to work in industries including construction, infrastructure and agriculture.
According to Reuters, the Palestinian PGFTU trade union confirmed that it had received notification of the scheduled increase. Those who receive the additional work permits will be required to receive Israeli security clearance.
A more detailed plan for the additional permits will reportedly be presented to Israel's security cabinet in the coming weeks.
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