Palestinian efforts in construction and trade, especially in the West Bank, showcase a commitment to economic resilience, leveraging regional interdependence and imports to sustain vital infrastructure.
Palestinian communities, particularly in the West Bank, demonstrate resilience through ongoing trade and construction initiatives aimed at economic stability, despite logistical and political challenges. Their reliance on essential imports like steel and cement from Turkey, facilitated through Israel, underscores a regional interdependence that challenges widespread assumptions about Palestinian isolation. With transparent tracking and job creation, these efforts support daily life, making construction a critical element for economic continuity and community well-being in the face of conflict. This ongoing development emphasizes the vital role of trade and infrastructure for Palestinians striving to overcome adversity.
In recent weeks, a statement questioning the need for construction materials in Palestine—“Are the Palestinians living in caves that they don’t need concrete, steel, and glass?”—has sparked widespread outrage. This comment has been met with fierce backlash, with critics arguing that such remarks are detached from the reality on the ground. Yet, the topic raises an important question: What is the real economic and construction landscape of Palestine today, and why do these materials play such an essential role?
Misunderstandings about the situation in Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza and the West Bank, fuel many misconceptions. Gaza, heavily impacted by war and conflict, is often assumed to represent the entire Palestinian situation. However, nearly 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, which, while facing significant hardships, continues to operate under more stable conditions than Gaza. This enables residents to engage in daily life and commerce, including construction and other industries essential to an economy aiming for survival amid constraints.
The Palestinian Statistics Bureau provides critical insight into the state of construction in the West Bank. According to the Bureau’s latest report, issued for the second quarter of 2024, a total of 1,591 building permits were approved, with 895 of these for new buildings. The total area covered by these projects amounts to 790,000 square meters, of which 620,000 square meters are new constructions, while 170,000 square meters involve expansions or improvements on existing buildings. The data highlight a fundamental reality: Palestinians are building, and they are not using traditional materials such as adobe or mud but rather modern materials like concrete, steel, and glass.
In fact, construction is an essential part of daily life in the West Bank. As residents rebuild homes, schools, and businesses, they rely on concrete and steel, sourced from neighboring countries, to construct stable, durable structures. The perception that Palestinian territories consist solely of war-torn areas where construction is unimaginable ignores the fact that life continues for many despite the conflict.
A case in point is Al-Waher, a prominent factory in the Tulkarim region of the West Bank. This factory, led by Palestinian businessman Mahmoud Waher and his father, plays a vital role in the local economy, importing essential construction materials, including steel and cement, from Turkey. Waher reveals that the factory imports between 130,000 to 150,000 tons of steel annually from Turkey. Yet, due to the lack of ports or an airport, Palestinians face significant logistical challenges. These imports must transit through Israel to reach Palestinian territories, underscoring the dependency and fragility of the supply chain.
The importance of such imports was recently acknowledged by Turkey’s Trade Ministry, which implemented a crucial change in the classification of exports to Palestine. Previously, shipments bound for Palestine were registered under Israel, making it challenging to track trade accurately. The new system allows Palestinian imports to be documented under their own codes, offering greater transparency and insight into the flow of goods into the territory. For Palestinian business owners like Waher, this change sheds light on the volume of resources entering the region, as well as the critical role of Turkish supplies.
Economic interdependence between Palestine and Israel remains a complex yet unavoidable reality. Data from the Palestinian Statistics Bureau reveal that 57.33% of Palestinian imports and 86.08% of exports in 2023 were conducted with Israel. The numbers for 2024 show an increase, with 59.86% of imports and 87.24% of exports linked to Israel. For Palestine, with limited trade partners and resources, Israel represents an essential—if not compulsory—market for both imports and exports. Goods produced in Palestine are largely sold within Israeli markets, with the income generated supporting the local economy. Moreover, the availability of cost-effective materials from Turkey enables Palestinian producers to maintain competitive pricing and quality.
This mutual dependency challenges simple narratives of isolation or complete independence. Despite political tensions, trade between Palestine and Israel remains active, as both parties stand to gain. Palestinians rely on the quality and affordability of Turkish goods, brought through Israeli channels, to sustain their economy. Without these imports, the ability of local businesses to meet market demand and stay operational would be significantly compromised.
The misperception that Palestinians neither need nor engage in construction or trade underpins much of the outrage and debate on this topic. Critics argue that Palestinians should not be concerned with constructing homes or factories amid conflict. However, for Palestinian communities striving to preserve a sense of normalcy, construction is vital. The inability to build new homes, schools, and public infrastructure would only deepen the struggles faced by these communities.
As Waher’s story shows, Palestinian businesses not only survive but also support thousands of local jobs, benefitting the broader Palestinian economy. Factories like Al-Waher are key to sustaining the livelihood of many, providing job opportunities and stimulating economic activity in an environment where stability is a constant challenge. This local economic activity, however modest in scale, bolsters community resilience and supports families who would otherwise lack resources.
Furthermore, this dependency on construction materials from Turkey and other sources reaffirms the complex, intertwined nature of regional economics. To destabilize the flow of materials into Palestinian territories would not only hurt local businesses but also weaken an economy that is already fragile. Critics who seek to prevent these imports ignore the economic consequences of severing these supply chains, consequences that would fall squarely on the shoulders of Palestinian families and workers.
The economic realities of the Palestinian territories reflect resilience amid adversity, a determination to build and rebuild despite political, logistical, and financial constraints. Rather than viewing Palestinian construction efforts with skepticism, it is essential to understand them as a critical component of survival, providing continuity and stability for communities facing protracted challenges.
