Dilemma of Palestinian settlement builders

“It’s hard to describe the feeling, it’s a very bad feeling – you can see how we’re losing our land, bit by bit,” says Hossam Hussein, 26, as he mixes mortar to put the finishing touches to a home with sweeping views from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea hills.

All the workers I spoke to said they wanted a settlement freeze, even if it meant losing their jobs, although none seemed to have a clear alternative plan.

But most did not believe it would happen.

“We should go on strike,” said Mr Rabbaye.

But an older labourer quickly interjected: “And then what are you going to live on?”

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