West Bank city becomes shopper's paradise for Palestinians living in Israel
Impressive numbers of Palestinians in Israel are crossing the Green Line destined for shopping and eating in the West Bank city of Jenin.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — After years of stagnation following extensive damage and destruction by the Israeli military during the second intifada (2000-2005), Jenin currently finds itself in the midst of an economic renaissance, having emerged as a thriving retail shopping hub. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Israel cross the Green Line to frequent businesses and shops there, along with Palestinians from elsewhere on the West Bank. Both are attracted primarily by the affordable prices. Palestinians living in Israel access the West Bank city through the Jalama checkpoint.
In general, prices tend to be higher in Israel because per capita income is higher there than in Palestine. In addition, product type, quality and taxes, or a combination thereof, also contribute to prices being higher in the markets of Arab villages and towns in Israel than in the West Bank. In 2017, Mohammed Kamil, the director general of the Jenin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, cited Israeli figures in announcing that Palestinians living in Israel spent $365 million on the other side of the Green Line in 2016.
During the second intifada, hundreds of shops and facilities were forced to close or were destroyed. Jenin’s severely damaged economy began to recover around 2006. New shops were opened, and others were renovated, with clothing and footwear stores sprouting in large numbers. The opening of restaurants and fruit and vegetable shops followed. Then, in June 2008, Israel opened the Jalama crossing to allow a limited number of its Arab citizens to visit the city for shopping from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, without their vehicles. Over time, the number of Palestinians allowed to cross was increased, and they were permitted to drive into the city. Jenin lies 16 miles from Nazareth and 31 miles from Haifa.
Um Khaled drives to Jenin from Nazareth once a week to shop. “Jenin is very close to us, and prices there are lower than those offered inside the Green Line, not to mention the good quality of the products offered,” she told Al-Monitor. “I buy what I need and then eat in one of the city’s restaurants before heading back to Nazareth.”
