West Bank official says new law banning Palestinian work in settlements won’t be enforced soon

No penalties yet for Palestinian settlement work

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian economics minister says a new law banning Palestinians from working in Israeli settlements will not be immediately enforced.

The law, which also bans the sale of Israeli products made in the settlements, was signed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this week. Violators face up to five years in prison.

Palestinians consider expanding settlements a key obstacle to setting up their future state.

Some 25,000 Palestinians work in settlements because unemployment in the West Bank remains high.

Economics Minister Hassan Abu Libdeh said late Tuesday that the workers in settlements won’t face immediate punishment. He says they will be given a grace period to find other work. He did not say how much time they have.