Amid the security escalation, the Chinese government called on its citizens last night to leave Israel as soon as possible. The potential damage to the real estate sector is significant. Still, from conversations conducted by the Real Estate Center with several parties in the industry, including Chinese construction companies operating in Israel, it seems that, for now, there is no immediate cause for concern.
By Doron Breutman, Nadlan Center
The Chinese government’s call last night (Sunday) for its citizens to leave Israel as soon as possible due to fears of an escalation with Hezbollah could have led to a severe workforce shortage in the construction industry. This sector is already grappling with substantial challenges since the outbreak of the Iron Swords War and the ban on the entry of Palestinian workers from the beginning. Currently, around 18,000 Chinese foreign workers are employed in the construction industry, and they are regarded as having the highest productivity and quality in the sector.
However, from conversations conducted by the Real Estate Center with several parties in the construction industry, including Chinese construction companies operating in Israel, it seems that the Chinese workers have no intention of leaving the country for now.
From discussions with senior executives at two Chinese construction companies operating in Israel—Zhongding International Construction Group Co. Ltd. and Beijing Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd.—it appears that, for the time being, no Chinese workers are leaving Israel, nor is such a departure expected in the foreseeable future. A similar response was provided in a conversation with the placement company A.T. Aviv, which specializes in Chinese workers. The Builders Association of Israel also investigated the issue and reported that it was a “refinement of a precautionary procedure and nothing more.”
The security situation in Israel remains serious, complex, and unpredictable—return home or relocate to safer areas as soon as possible.
Chinese government
Against the backdrop of the security escalation, the Chinese government called on its citizens last night to leave Israel as soon as possible: “The security situation in Israel remains serious, complex, and unpredictable,” according to the statement. The Chinese Embassy in Israel, in its communication to the media, urged Chinese citizens to “return home or relocate to safer areas as soon as possible.”
Statements of this nature could have severe consequences for the real estate industry in Israel, which has been dealing with the absence of about 100,000 Palestinian workers since the war began. The industry has primarily relied on increasing the foreign workforce, which the government has been attempting to expand over the past year, though with only partial success so far. In this situation, the departure of the Chinese workers could be a major blow to the sector.
