NOTE: The following quotation from a speech by Yossi Sarid was reprinted in the Israeli publication, "Kav La'Oved Newsletter." Kav La'Oved is the Workers Protection Hotline for the Protection of Wor kers' Rights.
"In February [1995], Environment Minister Yossi Sarid (Meretz) proposed paying some NIS 1.25 billion ($400 million) in compensation to the Palestinian Authority for the loss of jobs and income caused by the closure of the territories. At that time he stated: "Don't We Owe Them Something"
"`... The labor of Gazan workers in Israel amounted to some billion and a quarter shekels a year. I propose redeeming this labor with money: transferring NIS 100 million a month to the Palestinian A uthority to create sources of employment in the Gaza Strip ...
"`The occupation is the state's most profitable business. We didn't pay adequate wages to the Palestinian workers; didn't give them proper social conditions. Don't we owe them something after 27 year s? We didn't even allow them to set up a pickle factory! If we gave them weapons, it follows that must also help them with money.'" (Ha'aretz, 28/4/95)
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