Israeli restrictions on West Bank disrupt Nablus trade, hitting furniture industry hard in Ramadan - say local businesses

Record ID: 1983877

  • Title: Israeli restrictions on West Bank disrupt Nablus trade, hitting furniture industry hard in Ramadan - say local businesses
  • Date: 17th March 2025
  • Summary: NABLUS, WEST BANK (MARCH 15, 2025) (REUTERS) (PART MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWING THE CITY OF NABLUS (MUTE) VIEW OF NABLUS DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWING THE CITY OF NABLUS (MUTE) VIEW OF NABLUS VARIOUS OF WORKERS WORKING IN A FURNITURE WORKSHOP VARIOUS OF WORKER SEWING FABRIC (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CO-OWNER OF AL-BASEL FURNITURE COMPANY, SAMER ABU ARRA, SAYING: "Today and due to the ev
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Economy Israel Local businesses Nablus Palestinians Ramadan West Bank
  • Location: NABLUS, NEAR NABLUS AND NEAR BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
  • City: NABLUS, NEAR NABLUS AND NEAR BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
  • Country: Palestinian Occupied Territory
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA001926516032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Local businesses in Nablus reported a sharp decline in trade, attributing the downturn to heightened security measures by Israel that impede the free movement of goods and customers.
    Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, the Israeli military has ramped up restrictions in the occupied West Bank, adding more checkpoints and roadblocks that have severely limited the movement of Palestinians. These measures have made daily life in Nablus increasingly difficult.
    According to Al-Basel Nablus Furniture Company co-owners, Saher and Samer Abu Arra, the measures led to increased transportation costs and delays, disrupting supply chains and reducing profitability.
    The Abu Arras also expressed frustration over the economic standstill, noting that Ramadan usually brings a surge in commerce and communal activities. This year many businesses have remained closed, forcing them to reduce their workforce, they said.
    The furniture manufacturing sector, a key industry in Nablus, boasts over 1,300 workshops and factories according to the city's Governor Ghassan Daghlas. Many of which have been severely impacted by the downturn, Daghlas added.
    Israel says that these measures have been installed to prevent militant groups like Hamas from opening a new front in the West Bank especially after October 7, 2023 attacks.
    (Production: Yosri Aljamal, Mustafa abu Ganeyeh, Nuha Sharaf)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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