RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has imposed a boycott on Jewish communities in the West Bank.   

Officials said the ban, introduced in early 2010, was being enforced in stages. They said the first stage was the boycott of all products that stem from the Jewish communities in the West Bank.

The boycott has already led to the dismissal of thousands of Palestinians, officials said. In a statement on April 22, Majdalani said 7,000 Palestinians have left their jobs in the Jewish communities.

The minister said the Palestinians dismissed from Jewish employment were being absorbed in the PA economy. He said the boycott of goods produced in Jewish communities has led to greater demand of Palestinian products.

The boycott has been introduced by PA Prime Minister Salam Fayad as part of his strategy to unilaterally establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank by 2012. Under the policy, PA security forces have been raiding Palestinian stores in search of items produced in Jewish communities in the West Bank.

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