West Bank Brewery Battles Israeli Blocks—Oh, That's New
The Independent details the struggles of Taybeh Brewery, a West Bank business facing export blocks and settler attacks, with sales plummeting 70% since October 7th. They frame it as a plucky underdog story, rather than a predictable symptom of an entrenched military occupation. One might almost believe these 'blocks' are recent, sporadic annoyances, not standard operating procedure for Palestinian
commerce under Israeli control since Oslo—or even earlier. While the article highlights the brewery’s resilience, it sidesteps the fact that Israel's control over Palestinian movement and resources is a core feature of the occupation, not a bug. Every permit, every checkpoint, every delay is an economic chokehold, ensuring Palestinian dependency. It's less a 'battle' and more an enduring state of
affairs, only now getting media attention because beer makes it relatable. The 'rare Palestinian beer' is less rare than the media spotlight on the everyday economic realities of the West Bank where Israel controls 60% of the land and most key infrastructure.