Israel signs deal to bring in 6,000 Chinese construction workers

23 April 2017, 6:49 pm

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Israel signs an agreement with Beijing to bring in 6,000 Chinese construction workers as the country seeks to address a housing shortage contributing to high property prices.

Reports in Hebrew-language media said Israel had acceded to Chinese demands that the laborers not work in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Illustrative: Chinese foreign workers excavating tunnels in the Carmel in northern Israel take a break to have lunch. February 24, 2009. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)

Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon confirms the deal, telling reporters the agreement “is based on the concern for the safety and security of the workers,” and says the two sides agreed on locations where the laborers will work.

The agreement is signed in Jerusalem by Housing Minister Yoav Galant and Chinese International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Fu Ziying, a spokesman for the minister says.