Jerusalem, (Business News Report)|| Palestinians have staged angry protests in the West Bank against price hikes in recent weeks.
The protests came after local companies and suppliers announced a significant increase in prices, which increased the citizens’ discontent.
Hundreds of Palestinians participated in the vigil, organized at the invitation of activists, on Ibn Rushd Square in the center of Hebron.
The participants also chanted slogans condemning the high prices, calling on the government to intervene urgently.
Youth activist, Suhaib Zahida, said, “the stand is an expression of anger in the Palestinian street, due to the continued rise in the prices of food, beverages, and fuel.”
Meanwhile, Zahida called on the Palestinian government to stand up to its responsibilities: “Today Hebron spoke out, and tomorrow all the cities of the West Bank will too. We cannot remain silent.”
On Saturday, Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh decided to form a committee to study and follow up the issue of raising prices in the local and international markets, including the ministers of finance, the national economy, and the head of the Central Bureau of Statistics.
Shtayyeh said in a statement, that the government “will not abandon the poor and low-income groups by controlling the prices of basic commodities.”
He added, “The government will take the necessary measures to protect this category, in light of the committee’s recommendations, in parallel with the intensification of the work of the price control committees in the markets.”
Palestinians say that basic foodstuffs have witnessed a significant increase in prices, along with drinks and fuel.
The prices of grains and dairy products have also risen. The government is expected to announce an increase in electricity prices later this month.
In a related context, truck drivers in the West Bank governorates announced a strike in protest of the hike in fuel and oil prices.
Palestinian sources said that truck drivers organized vigils in a number of cities, including Nablus and Hebron.
Meanwhile, the sources added that a truck drive was witnessed in the town of Al-Obeidiya in the Wadi Al-Nar Bridge area and other areas.
At the beginning of 2022, the Ministry of Finance raised the tax rate on basic commodities and food supplies, which put citizens in front of a wave of high prices.
