The Harrowing Plight of Thai Farm Workers Held Hostage by Hamas

Before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Israel was home to approximately 30,000 Thai workers, many in the agriculture sector.

In the wake of the horrific October 7, 2023, terror attack by Hamas on Israel, Thai workers in the country became some of the most vulnerable victims. A group of 31 Thai nationals was taken hostage by the militant group, and Thursday, five of them were released. Twenty-three others have also been freed, but two have been confirmed dead, while one’s fate remains uncertain.

According to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 46 Thai nationals lost their lives during the ongoing conflict, including the two who were killed while held by Hamas. These workers were part of a significant contingent of Thai nationals who have worked in Israel for decades, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Israel, which had historically relied on Palestinian workers, shifted its labor force after the First Intifada (1987-93), bringing in large numbers of migrant workers from countries like Thailand. Today, Thais remain the largest foreign group employed in Israel's agriculture, attracted by significantly higher wages than those available at home.

A bilateral agreement between Thailand and Israel, established a decade ago, helped facilitate the influx of Thai workers into Israel’s agricultural sector. However, the working conditions for many of these migrant workers have been the subject of criticism. A 2015 Human Rights Watch report highlighted issues like substandard housing, long working hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. A more recent study found that many Thai workers are still paid below Israel's legal minimum wage.

Before the tragic Hamas attack, there were around 30,000 Thai workers in Israel, most of whom were employed on farms. Following the attack, about 7,000 workers returned to Thailand, primarily using government evacuation flights. However, due to the high wages, Israel remains an attractive destination for Thai workers, with the current number surpassing 38,000.

In response to the labor shortage caused by the exodus after the Hamas attack, Israel’s Agriculture Ministry introduced incentives to attract foreign workers back. These included extended work visas and monthly bonuses of around $500.

In 2024, Thailand’s Labor Ministry granted permission for 3,966 Thai nationals to work in Israel, making it one of the top four destinations for Thai migrant workers. Most of these workers come from Thailand’s poorer northeast region, where jobs in Israel offer vastly higher pay than they could ever hope to earn at home.