Secretary of the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hijazi al-Rishq, spoke to Al Jazeera Net about the economic effects of the occupation’s military measures in the city since October 7, indicating that the tourism sector is the most affected.
Occupied Jerusalem- The occupation’s military measures in Jerusalem since October 7 have had major economic effects, prompting the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hijazi Al-Rishq, to consider the occupied city an economic disaster.
Al-Rashq told Al Jazeera Net that the city had been completely paralysed and was now empty of shoppers, with only 9% of the commercial sector remaining operational over the past months.
He added that the tourism sector, which constitutes 34% of the commercial sector and employs thousands of Jerusalemites, is the biggest loser. He stated that 462 shops selling oriental antiques, which employ about 1,150 Jerusalemites alone, have completely stopped working due to the lack of tourism.
Al-Rashq points out that unemployment, internal weakness, declining purchasing power, and the depletion of citizens’ savings have combined with taxes and fines imposed on the people of Jerusalem by the occupation.
