The Israeli government Monday eased a ban on the entry of Palestinian workers into Israel, taking a first step toward loosening a tight border closing imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip after suicide bombings in July.
The move came about a week before a planned visit by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to help revive faltering peace efforts.
American officials have criticized economic sanctions that Israel imposed after the bombing, especially a suspension of tax and customs payments to the Palestinian Authority.
Israeli officials discounted speculation that Monday’s move was linked to Albright’s visit, asserting they were guided by security considerations as well as by a concern that worsening economic hardship was increasing support among Palestinians for violence against Israel.
“It is not true that we are lifting the closure,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel Radio. “We are easing it gradually to the limit set by our security assessments, which are examined daily.”
An Israeli army statement said 4,000 married workers over 35 years old would be allowed back to work in Israel, half from the Gaza Strip and half from the West Bank.
Most suicide bombers involved in attacks in Israel in the last two years have been single and younger than 35.
The number of renewed entry permits was small, although Israeli officials said it could grow over time if security conditions permit.
Before the closing–imposed after the bombings July 30 that killed 17 people in a Jerusalem market–more than 50,000 Palestinian workers were allowed into Israel, mostly for construction jobs and other manual labor.
At least 30,000 more worked in Israel illegally, circumventing checkpoints to get to jobs.
During the month of border closings, the loss of income by workers and the freeze on tax and customs payments collected by Israel and ordinarily transferred to the Palestinian Authority have crippled the Palestinian economy.
The army said it would allow another 2,000 Palestinian businessmen over the age of 30 to enter Israel, bringing the total of such permits to 4,000, as well as 250 West Bank teachers who work in East Jerusalem and 200 employees of the authority who need to move between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
But the suspension of tax and customs transfers remains in force.
“We don’t feel that they are doing a thing on the infrastructure of terrorism,” said David Bar-Illan, a senior aide to Netanyahu.
“If we feel that they are doing something, we will release more funds. It depends on the actions of the other side,” he said.
Arafat has agreed to meetings between Israeli and Palestinian intelligence officials with American participation, but he has ruled out what he calls submission to Israeli dictates.
