The Israel Farmers Federation calls on the rising number of unemployed to \"come and work in agriculture.\" The organization says that the violence of the past year and the resulting decrease in Arab workers from the autonomous areas has left the agricultural sector \"starving for workers.\" Large quantities of produce are rotting on the trees for lack of workers to harvest them. Potential workers are asked to turn to their local Employment Offices or to the agricultural representatives in the Regional Councils.
\"This is not only an economic matter,\" says Agriculture Minister Shalom Simchon, \"but has supreme national value as well. The events of the past year prove the importance of settlement and keeping the lands. Jewish labor in agriculture will strengthen the bonds between the Jewish people and its land.\" Some 22,000 foreign workers currently are employed in the sector, and another 10,000 are needed.
\"This is not only an economic matter,\" says Agriculture Minister Shalom Simchon, \"but has supreme national value as well. The events of the past year prove the importance of settlement and keeping the lands. Jewish labor in agriculture will strengthen the bonds between the Jewish people and its land.\" Some 22,000 foreign workers currently are employed in the sector, and another 10,000 are needed.