"I Sent the Arab Workers Home"

In the morning hours, Yehuda Herzic, an entrepreneur and owner of a construction company in Ashdod, published a short post on the social network Facebook, where he explains his decision to send his Arab workers home. "Unfortunately, due to my work, I have to provide a living for Arabs," Herzic writes. "Unfortunately, in the construction industry, there is no current substitute. That's the reality. However, this morning I made a decision. I sent them home until further notice. I have decided that any time there is such an event, they will stay home for a few days. I urge all my colleagues in the industry to do as I do. I have no doubt that this also affects our livelihood, but it's the minimum required of us." We approached him to hear more about the employment of Arabs, what really happens with Jews in the construction industry, and whether it's a negative stigma. And what he thinks is the possible solution in such a situation.

Another article on the topic: Fired an Arab Worker Who Boasted: "We Slaughtered Jews"

No fear of personal revenge?

"I am a believer, not afraid of anything, especially when I'm acting as my moral duty as a Jew demands," Herzic says. "We've sometimes talked about the situation in previous events, and after each event in particular. They see I'm connected to rescue and emergency forces as a volunteer. They hear the voices and are updated on the events, often online. And they know that it's hard to appear joyful over the murder of Jews around me."

The post he uploaded:

As someone who has known his workers for many years, I tend to believe they fear revenge because it's their livelihood. Often they come after an event and seemingly apologize, even if superficially, condemning the terror events, saying they just want to earn a living. You have to take everything with a grain of salt and mainly rely on Hashem as always and in every situation.

"We Won't Let Them Dictate Lockdown Days - We Will Dictate Them to the Arabs"

Herzic advocates a method where every person is replaceable. True, even if a worker performs his duties most loyally and fairly, he can't use his position to serve unkosher means. "And the Arabs indeed exploit this," he clarifies. "They know there's no Jewish force in the industry, and even when they tried 10 years ago to replace them with foreign labor, it didn't really succeed. They also know that the amounts they ask for are much lower than everyone else, and they feel irreplaceable, and unfortunately, quite rightly so."

Since Herzic cannot really replace them all with others and receive the same output, he at least tries to employ them by his rules. "They will sit at home for a few days, until the anger passes. For me, waking up to such a morning is a tragedy, getting up on the wrong foot, going to work without being able to look at the workers without raising my threshold of nerves, I don't want them. Let them go home."

Isn't this a difficult decision, perhaps even financially harmful to you?

"I start from the assumption that a lockdown was dictated to us," Herzic answers without hesitation. "What happens on a day when I come to work fully energized, motivated to complete a project, and I suddenly get informed that the workers quarreled with soldiers at a checkpoint and were decided to be punished and not allowed to work today? Or when the police impose a general lockdown? What did we have during the time the boys were kidnapped in Gush Etzion? A three-week lockdown. So if we're dealing with all these situations anyway, it's time we dictate this lockdown. It's inconceivable that we let them come in and pay them on a day when we hear of such a terrible massacre," says Herzic, referring to the synagogue massacre in the Har Nof neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Herzic. Not Afraid of Revenge

"My Money Provides for Arabs and It Breaks My Heart"

Herzic's field of work is divided into several parts, among them, Jewish professionals are employed out of idealism, even though he pays them more money. "As long as it concerns a carpenter, aluminum person, air conditioning, and even paint and putty, I strive to look for Jews and give them the job," Herzic says. "So it costs me a little more, but even according to Halacha, I am obligated to do this. Up to ten percent more than what I pay the Arab worker - provided, of course, that I receive the same outcome and yield.

However, when it comes to intensive construction, blocks, tiling, and the like, the yield and price that Arabs offer are almost unrivaled. So yes, even here there's the issue of a higher payment of up to ten percent, but not when it comes to double the amount, and not for the same work."

Just to give us a clear picture, Herzic conducts a simple calculation of a 50-shekel difference per square meter of tiling between Jewish work and Arab work. "The finance minister previously tried to promote the issue, but nothing came of it," Herzic says.

Why do you believe Jews don't work in construction?

"From the experience and understanding I have in the field, I've understood one prominent thing," Herzic says. "One of the positive traits of Jews is also what stands against them in this matter. They work with their brains. Those who have a sharp mind will look for 'worthwhile' jobs, becoming self-employed, or finding work in a field they love. If they don't have much intelligence, why would they be employed? Meanwhile, Arabs don't sharpen their minds and don't think like Jews in the economic field. They don't have the sharpness and ingenuity. They don't know how to maximize wage potential. I have some who earn 350 shekels daily, but others earn up to 1000 shekels a day - which is a high and nice amount for anyone, but they provide insane output in return. I sometimes pay 25,000 shekels a month to an Arab, and it pains me that it's not going to a Jewish brother.

What should be done to encourage Jews to work in construction?

"First, there needs to be a desire from the government," Herzic clarifies. "Just like when they wanted to encourage living in the periphery, for example. Contractors can't really pay the sums of money Jews need to make a living. So just as they wanted to encourage and integrate various workers in various fields, they need to ensure that in the construction field, there will be an option for Jews to earn a living."

"The public needs to understand that the starting points work in their favor, and they know that. They pay rent of about 2500 shekels for a 160-square-meter apartment, not to mention water and electricity they don't pay for. They spend very little on living expenses. On the other hand, the fact that they live with a different mindset than Jews, as I mentioned earlier, causes them severe economic harm if they don't work. A Jew will always manage and find a way to bring home some money. An Arab who doesn't work for a week doesn't have food at home. They can work for relatively low amounts."

According to Herzic, the government does not support the idea, as they seek to integrate Arabs into the Israeli workforce and don't want to see them sitting at home hungry. Therefore, he does not foresee full cooperation.

Rabinovich's Post

"I don't know if I'll find workers in their place," Herzic sums up, "but today I really feel that I mentally can't employ them. I must calm down with myself, and truly send a message to the universe: let's unite under one goal, because alone, I won't change anything if I don't employ Arabs. Only when we are many - will there be change."

Initiator of the "Jobs for the Ultra-Orthodox" project, Avigdor Rabinovich, also published a statement on the matter, and maybe this quiet protest will be the opening for something much bigger and viral, that will spark the civil change needed - because if we don't protect ourselves, no one will do it for us.

"After the terrible murder by Arab workers (yes, yes, who made a living from me and you), I received tens of requests from employers who decided to employ Jews. Opinions differ, and I personally believe the Arab society should integrate into Israeli society. However, after such a violent and brutal act, those employers decided that the only way to show solidarity with the murdered is to fire some workers and employ Jews. I supported this action and helped dozens of employers get Jewish workers. It's time we first look out for the Jewish people, our brothers!"