The occupation barriers burden the stone industry in Nablus and threaten the livelihood of thousands of workers.

In the town of Jama'in south of Nablus, worker Muhammad Madinah is facing significant difficulties in his work due to the closure of the main entrance to the town by the occupation army. Since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, mobility has become more complicated, affecting the livelihood of many workers in the stone industry.

Muhammad says he used to transport stone to many areas in the West Bank, but the closure of the main road has made work more difficult and increased transportation costs. His monthly income has significantly decreased, from over 20,000 shekels to around 8,000 shekels now.

Jama'in is considered one of the most important Palestinian towns for stone extraction, marketing its production in the Palestinian and Arab markets, in addition to the markets of the 48 territories. However, the closure of secondary roads has led to a decline in production, with factories now operating only 12 days a month.

Hassan Khdeir, the mayor of Jama'in, confirms that the closures have affected the value of electricity bills for establishments, which dropped by 30% last year. Quarry owners have also been forced to reduce working hours, negatively impacting workers' income.

The stone industry constitutes about 15% of the Palestinian economic output, employing around 40,000 workers in this sector. With exports declining due to the closures, Shadi Shaheen, the general director of the General Union of Stone and Marble, warned that the continuation of the current situation could exacerbate the crisis.

Estimates show that stone exports dropped by about 30% last year, resulting in a loss of nearly 50 million dollars. Despite the quality of Palestinian stone, the closures have pushed some markets to seek alternatives.

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission indicates that the number of barriers and iron gates established by the occupation since October 7, 2023, has reached 898, increasing the pressures on workers and the stone industry in Palestine.