Why Fuel Access Is Becoming More Difficult for Palestinians in the West Bank
LONDON — Palestinian workers at Barkan Industrial Park in the northern West Bank have been barred from refueling at gas stations in the nearby Israeli settlement of Ariel, adding to a deepening fuel crisis that threatens to further restrict mobility and employment.
Workers were notified Wednesday through WhatsApp and verbal warnings that they could face detention, questioning, or workplace penalties if they attempted to refuel starting Thursday. The directive was attributed to Ariel municipality security officials, though local authorities have denied issuing any such instructions.
The restrictions come as Palestinian areas face a severe fuel shortage, with long queues at gas stations and hours-long waits becoming common. Palestinian officials attribute the disruption to a broader economic crisis involving Israeli banks, which has left businesses unable to deposit cash and maintain normal operations.
Field researcher Diana Mardi of the Israeli organization Bimkom described conditions as “catastrophic.” She said fuel had been one of the last elements sustaining normal life in the territory. “People would still wake up and go to work, even without pay in some cases,” she told Arab News. “For many, whatever income they earned barely covered transportation or basic needs.”
The crisis has intensified following a deadly clash on July 24 between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the village of Tell near Nablus. Since then, Israeli authorities have imposed restrictions on Palestinian access to settlements and parts of Israel and Jerusalem, leaving many workers without jobs.
Labor advocates have criticized the refueling ban, with MAAN Workers Association executive director Assaf Adiv calling it a violation of workers’ rights. He urged Ariel’s mayor and the head of Barkan Industrial Park to rescind the directive. Palestinians have developed informal coping mechanisms, including mobile apps that alert users when fuel becomes available, but the strain continues to mount.
Also Read:
How Conflict Has Devastated Farming Communities in Southern Lebanon
Egypt Probes Drone Attack on Commercial Ships at Damietta Port
