Palestinians in Gaza learning Hebrew in order to work in Israel
“In a brightly lit classroom in Gaza, a teacher spells out Hebrew words on a whiteboard, followed attentively by Maher Al-Farra and dozens of other Palestinians hoping to take advantage of an opening up of employment opportunities in Israel.
Increased demand for the classes at the Nafha languages centre follows a new offer of work permits by Israel as it has moved to calm border tensions following an 11-day war in May with Hamas, the Islamist group which rules the Gaza Strip.
It now offers 10,000 permits allowing Gaza residents to cross the border to work in Israel - a new source of income to a region where 64% of the population is estimated to live in poverty and unemployment runs at 50%.
Ahmed Al-Faleet, the centre's owner, said the number of people enlisted to learn Hebrew has increased four-fold to reach 160 students per course since Israel began giving work permits in the last quarter of 2021.
But for the dozens of workers and merchants enrolled in the class at Nafha, the change offers the prospect of earning, in Israel, the equivalent of a week's wages in Gaza.
"I came here today to learn Hebrew so I can handle things at my work inside (Israel) easily," Farra told Reuters.
Every week I go back home happy to my family with 2,000 shekels ($625). I also give to my mother and my father," said Jamil Abdallah, 31, from Jabalya in northern Gaza.”
Demand for Hebrew lessons jumps in Gaza as Israel eases work restrictions
“In a brightly lit classroom in Gaza, a teacher spells out Hebrew words on a whiteboard, followed attentively by Maher Al-Farra and dozens of other Palestinians hoping to take advantage of an opening up of employment opportunities in Israel.
Increased demand for the classes at the Nafha languages centre follows a new offer of work permits by Israel as it has moved to calm border tensions following an 11-day war in May with Hamas, the Islamist group which rules the Gaza Strip.
It now offers 10,000 permits allowing Gaza residents to cross the border to work in Israel - a new source of income to a region where 64% of the population is estimated to live in poverty and unemployment runs at 50%.
Ahmed Al-Faleet, the centre's owner, said the number of people enlisted to learn Hebrew has increased four-fold to reach 160 students per course since Israel began giving work permits in the last quarter of 2021.
But for the dozens of workers and merchants enrolled in the class at Nafha, the change offers the prospect of earning, in Israel, the equivalent of a week's wages in Gaza.
"I came here today to learn Hebrew so I can handle things at my work inside (Israel) easily," Farra told Reuters.
Every week I go back home happy to my family with 2,000 shekels ($625). I also give to my mother and my father," said Jamil Abdallah, 31, from Jabalya in northern Gaza.”
Demand for Hebrew lessons jumps in Gaza as Israel eases work restrictions
