In response to the labor shortage caused by the departure of 72,000 Palestinian workers following the October 7 attack by Hamas, Israel's government announced on February 4 that it intends to hire 65,000 foreign workers from Uzbekistan, India, and Sri Lanka to resume stalled construction projects, Reuters reported.

The government's decision to lay off Palestinian workers and exclude them from Israel was prompted by security concerns following the attack. Despite approximately 20,000 foreign workers remaining, nearly half of the country's construction sites have been forced to shut down due to the resulting labor shortage.

A spokesperson from the housing ministry highlighted the urgency of addressing the shortage to prevent potential supply blockages. The influx of new groups of foreign workers is expected in the coming weeks, as the government aims to avoid disruptions that could lead to a resurgence in real estate prices, especially as interest rates are anticipated to fall.

However, earlier it was reported that Israel's Ministry of Construction and Housing faced challenges in recruiting Uzbek workers for the construction sector. The Uzbek authorities obstructed an Israeli delegation from recruiting citizens, citing various administrative issues.

Before the conflict with Hamas, around 80,000 Palestinians were employed in Israeli construction sites. However, the war resulted in the cancellation of work permits for Palestinian workers, leading to a significant shortage of labor in the Israeli construction industry.

Central Asia's Stance on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev kept voicing deep concern over the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He urged both sides to cease fire, start peace negotiations, and come to a reasonable compromise. President Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan's support for the Palestinian people's right to have their own state, as confirmed by UN resolutions. Uzbekistan allocated $1.5mn to the Middle East Agency of the United Nations for essential humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

“The conflict [Israel-Gaza] must not be allowed to escalate into a large-scale war. We urge both sides to cease fire, start peace negotiations, and come to a reasonable compromise. We once again reiterate our firm position on the Palestinian people’s right to have their own state, as confirmed by the UN resolutions,” President Mirziyoyev voiced.

In addition, the heads of diplomatic missions from several countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, visited the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 27. Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov emphasized the need for both parties to halt the armed conflict, urging diplomatic means and adherence to international law norms for a resolution.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov expressed support for the Palestinian citizens during the 8th Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Saudi Arabia. He acknowledged their substantial losses and suffering due to the escalated violence. Kyrgyzstan stands ready to provide humanitarian aid to alleviate the distress of civilians in the Gaza Strip. President Japarov emphasized the importance of implementing relevant UN resolutions for the Palestinians' legitimate rights to independence.

”In turn, the Kyrgyz Republic is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip. We believe that it is our common responsibility to support our Palestinian brothers in ending external aggression and the loss of innocent lives, and to provide humanitarian assistance,” President Japarov noted.

He underlined the need for parties to prioritize the protection of citizens' lives, adhere to international humanitarian law, and resolve the conflict through diplomatic means.

Kazakhstan

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced a $1mn aid pledge to support the Palestinian people during the summit of the Organization of Turkic States on November 3. He emphasized the urgent need for increased mediation, expressing concern for civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially vulnerable groups. Kazakhstan condemned violence and terrorist activities, calling for conflict resolution through peaceful negotiations and diplomatic dialogue.

"Kazakhstan strongly condemns such methods. The escalation of the situation can have serious consequences. In this regard, we call for the resolution of any disputes only through peaceful negotiations and diplomatic dialogue. For us, maintaining the territorial integrity of all countries and not interfering in their internal affairs are the main priorities. It is important to strictly implement the resolutions of the UN Security Council, to observe international law norms," President Tokayev affirmed.

Tajikistan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan strongly condemned the acts of violence in the Middle East, calling upon the parties to end the violence immediately and engage in dialogue to normalize the situation.

Afghanistan

The Taliban expressed support for Palestine, urging the prevention of Israeli violence and the resolution of the Palestinian question to give them their legitimate rights. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan supports the Palestinians' right to have an independent country on their historical soil.

Background on the Conflict

Hamas initiated a military operation against Israel on October 7, leading to the launch of 5,000 rockets and shells towards Israel on the same day. Ongoing gunfire is reported in multiple locations in Gaza. Despite this, the people have started a movement towards nation-building. Muhammad Deif, the head of Hamas' military wing, has called on individuals with rifles to join the cause. The Israel Defense Forces contend that militants lack complete control. Contrary to claims by Israeli authorities, residents, Amnesty International, and other human rights organizations, a senior Hamas spokesperson asserts that militants did not deliberately target civilians.

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