JERUSALEM

Israeli authorities are drafting a plan that seeks to replace Palestinian workers in Israel with foreign workers, Israeli media reported on Monday.

According to public broadcaster KAN, the plan is expected to be implemented in 2024 with the aim of reducing dependence on Palestinian laborers.

The plan is set to be presented to the Israeli economic Cabinet within two weeks, KAN also said.

Under the plan, Israel seeks to bring some 80,000 workers from various countries, mainly from Asia, for jobs in the construction and agriculture sectors.

KAN said under the plan, Israel will seek to arrange the arrival of 25,000 workers from Sri Lanka, 20,000 from China, 17,000 from India, 13,000 from Thailand, and 6,000 from Moldova.

The plan, however, would require signing deals with these countries and holding talks on the conditions of the work before they go into effect, KAN added.

According to official Israeli figures, before the Oct. 7 events and the devastating Israeli onslaught against Gaza, some 150,000 Palestinians from the West Bank and around 18,500 others from Gaza used to work in Israel.

In addition to that number, there were thousands of Palestinians who illegally entered Israel without work permits for work.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar​​​​​​​