New resources to withstand the economic crisis in the West Bank

In the West Bank, war, restrictions on Palestinian workers, and the financial crisis of the Palestinian Authority weaken thousands of families. To maintain an income, many develop new home-based activities, revive agricultural crops, or create local cooperatives. In Bethlehem as in Bani Na’im, these initiatives help to cope with daily difficulties while strengthening the economic autonomy of communities.

AI Index: Mediterranean Knowledge Library
New resources to resist the economic crisis in the West Bank
22-med – June 2026
• In the West Bank, families deprived of employment invent new activities to maintain an income.
• In Bethlehem and Bani Na’im, home bakeries, cooperatives, and local agriculture shape an economy of survival and autonomy.
#westbank #palestine #economy #resilience #agriculture #cooperative #employment #autonomy

In a small corner of their house, in one of the Palestinian refugee camps near Bethlehem, in the south of the West Bank, Samer Iyad Hamad, 40, and his wife Insaf Al Najar, 32, stand next to a modest home oven. Together, they prepare traditional bread and pastries and carefully monitor each batch. Then they deliver them to neighbors, local businesses, and customers who place orders via a page they created on social media to market their products.

Only two years ago, before launching this home-based activity, Samer worked in a hotel in Jerusalem, providing a stable income for his family. But after losing his work permit following the war, he had to seek alternatives in a region where economic opportunities were becoming increasingly scarce. Today, the couple works long hours. Their day begins before dawn when they purchase ingredients, prepare the dough, and make different pastries. By morning, the products are ready to be delivered to local stores, institutions, and families who rely on their growing business.

Samer and Insaf explain that they launched this project to support their family of three and cover at least part of their daily expenses. “The income we generate amounts to about 1,800 shekels per month, or about 600 dollars, which is only a third of what I earned working in Jerusalem,” Samer explains. “But being able to cover even part of our family’s expenses helps us stay resilient and keep moving forward.”

A growing trend of adaptation

Samer’s story is far from unique. As employment opportunities in Israel have decreased and restrictions on Palestinian workers have tightened, thousands of Palestinians have been forced to rethink their livelihoods. At the same time, the persistent financial crisis of the Palestinian Authority — exacerbated by Israeli withholding of Palestinian tax revenues — has led many public sector employees to face payment delays or salary cuts.

Faced with these overlapping challenges, Palestinians throughout the West Bank have begun to develop innovative solutions to generate income and reduce their reliance on traditional employment. Economists increasingly describe this phenomenon as a “resilience economy,” meaning community-driven initiatives that enable families to adapt, survive, and create new opportunities despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

From Salaried Jobs to Small Businesses

Thus, in towns and villages across the West Bank, rooftops and backyards are gradually transforming into productive spaces. Home food production, poultry farming, hydroponic agriculture, digital services, and online freelancing are on the rise. Another notable trend is the return of family farming and the re-cultivation of previously neglected lands.

In many rural communities, families have started growing vegetables, herbs, and seasonal crops. This helps reduce their dependence on markets, where prices continue to rise.

Women Leading Agricultural Innovation in Bani Na’im