27 feb 2015
An agreement has been reached between the Israeli electric company and the Israeli government to use frozen Palestinian tax funds to offset the Palestinian Authority's electricity debt.
Hebrew media sources quoted an Israeli official as saying that the company will stop cutting power to Palestinian cities over unpaid bills and will deduct funds from tax money.
Under the deal reached Thursday between the Israeli premier's office and the electric company, the latter will receive 300 million shekels ($75.8 million) from the frozen PA tax revenues, equivalent to the Palestinian debt for the last three months – December, January and February.
This week, the Israeli electric company twice cut power to the northern West Bank for periods of up to an hour to protest the PA’s unpaid debt, which totals some 1.9 billion shekels ($483 million).
Hebrew media sources quoted an Israeli official as saying that the company will stop cutting power to Palestinian cities over unpaid bills and will deduct funds from tax money.
Under the deal reached Thursday between the Israeli premier's office and the electric company, the latter will receive 300 million shekels ($75.8 million) from the frozen PA tax revenues, equivalent to the Palestinian debt for the last three months – December, January and February.
This week, the Israeli electric company twice cut power to the northern West Bank for periods of up to an hour to protest the PA’s unpaid debt, which totals some 1.9 billion shekels ($483 million).
The Energy and Natural Resources of the Palestinian National Authority said, on Thursday, that they had received an official notice from the Israeli power company stating their attention to cut power in areas extending over north and south of the West Bank.
The Chief Assistant of the Energy Authority, Zafer Melhem, said that the Israeli company notice included reduction of power loads, provided to the population centers in the Palestinian Authority areas, up to 50%, but did not specify the exact date.
The power company has cut off the electricity to a number of areas in Nablus and Jenin twice during this past week, 45 minutes on Monday and an hour on Wednesday, after only one hour of issuing a warning notice in this regard.
According to the notice, the current power cut is the "last warning", the Israeli company will cut off electricity in the coming times without any warning.
The company claims that the distribution companies and local authorities in Palestine have a debt of about 1.9 billion shekels , while the Palestinian National Authority says the figure is greatly exaggerated.
The Chief Assistant of the Energy Authority, Zafer Melhem, said that the Israeli company notice included reduction of power loads, provided to the population centers in the Palestinian Authority areas, up to 50%, but did not specify the exact date.
The power company has cut off the electricity to a number of areas in Nablus and Jenin twice during this past week, 45 minutes on Monday and an hour on Wednesday, after only one hour of issuing a warning notice in this regard.
According to the notice, the current power cut is the "last warning", the Israeli company will cut off electricity in the coming times without any warning.
The company claims that the distribution companies and local authorities in Palestine have a debt of about 1.9 billion shekels , while the Palestinian National Authority says the figure is greatly exaggerated.
25 feb 2015
World Bank warned of the poor health conditions and critical financial status in Gaza, stressing that what is being provided to the Strip is below the required level.
Anis Barich, the World Bank envoy for health and humanitarian affairs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), declared in a press conference held in al-Shifa medical complex on Tuesday that the World Bank offered a 2-million-dollar project to support the health sector in the Gaza Strip. He added that this project was signed on Monday by Dr. Jawad Awwad, the Palestinian health minister in the consensus government, during their meeting in Ramallah.
He underlined that the financial situation in Gaza is very critical, and clarified that the money provided for this project is not enough to solve all health care problems in the Strip.
For his part, Yousuf Abu al-Reish, the Palestinian Ministry of Health undersecretary, thanked Barich for his visit and pointed out that they thoroughly explained to him the deteriorating health situation in Gaza, the lack of supplies, and the closure of crossings.
Gaza health sector faces increasing crisis as the government of national consensus refuses to pay any operating expenses to the ministry, hospitals, and the cleaning staff who have recently gone on strike to demand overdue salaries.
After the war on Gaza last summer, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donated 55 million dollars to support the health sector in Gaza, but only $100,000 reached the Strip, whereas the money was inserted in the Palestinian Authority budget under condition of supporting the health sector in Gaza.
Anis Barich, the World Bank envoy for health and humanitarian affairs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), declared in a press conference held in al-Shifa medical complex on Tuesday that the World Bank offered a 2-million-dollar project to support the health sector in the Gaza Strip. He added that this project was signed on Monday by Dr. Jawad Awwad, the Palestinian health minister in the consensus government, during their meeting in Ramallah.
He underlined that the financial situation in Gaza is very critical, and clarified that the money provided for this project is not enough to solve all health care problems in the Strip.
For his part, Yousuf Abu al-Reish, the Palestinian Ministry of Health undersecretary, thanked Barich for his visit and pointed out that they thoroughly explained to him the deteriorating health situation in Gaza, the lack of supplies, and the closure of crossings.
Gaza health sector faces increasing crisis as the government of national consensus refuses to pay any operating expenses to the ministry, hospitals, and the cleaning staff who have recently gone on strike to demand overdue salaries.
After the war on Gaza last summer, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donated 55 million dollars to support the health sector in Gaza, but only $100,000 reached the Strip, whereas the money was inserted in the Palestinian Authority budget under condition of supporting the health sector in Gaza.
23 feb 2015
State-owned utility temporarily halts electricity supply to Nablus and Jenin to pressure Palestinian Authority into paying $492 million bill.
Israel's state-owned electric company briefly cut power to two Palestinian cities in the West Bank on Monday to press for payment of what it said was $492 million owed by the Palestinian government.
"The Israel Electric Corporation limited for 45 minutes today the supply of electricity to five power lines in Nablus and Jenin," the company said in a statement, adding that further cuts were possible. Nablus Mayor Ghassan Al-Shaka'a said the power went out in parts of the city and was gradually restored. "This is collective punishment," he told Reuters, calling the blackouts politically motivated.
Israel Electric Corp said in a statement it had "long warned...about a debt that has ballooned to more than 1.9 billion shekels over the years – but no solution has been found". Palestinians in the West Bank are largely dependent on electricity supplied by Israel Electric Corp. A Palestinian power company in East Jerusalem also buys electricity from IEC and sells it to the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under interim peace deals with Israel.
Shaka'a told Reuters that Israeli power cuts would do more damage to a Palestinian economy already hit by Israel's withholding of the monthly transfer of more than $100 million in tax revenues that it collects on behalf of the PA. Israel suspended the transfers last month after the Palestinians applied to join the International Criminal Court, where war crimes prosecutions could be pursued. The United States has expressed concern about the PA's viability if the funds remain frozen.
In previous instances in which Israel has withheld Palestinian tax revenues, some Israeli officials have proposed that some of the money be used to partially pay off the PA's electric bill.
Israel's state-owned electric company briefly cut power to two Palestinian cities in the West Bank on Monday to press for payment of what it said was $492 million owed by the Palestinian government.
"The Israel Electric Corporation limited for 45 minutes today the supply of electricity to five power lines in Nablus and Jenin," the company said in a statement, adding that further cuts were possible. Nablus Mayor Ghassan Al-Shaka'a said the power went out in parts of the city and was gradually restored. "This is collective punishment," he told Reuters, calling the blackouts politically motivated.
Israel Electric Corp said in a statement it had "long warned...about a debt that has ballooned to more than 1.9 billion shekels over the years – but no solution has been found". Palestinians in the West Bank are largely dependent on electricity supplied by Israel Electric Corp. A Palestinian power company in East Jerusalem also buys electricity from IEC and sells it to the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under interim peace deals with Israel.
Shaka'a told Reuters that Israeli power cuts would do more damage to a Palestinian economy already hit by Israel's withholding of the monthly transfer of more than $100 million in tax revenues that it collects on behalf of the PA. Israel suspended the transfers last month after the Palestinians applied to join the International Criminal Court, where war crimes prosecutions could be pursued. The United States has expressed concern about the PA's viability if the funds remain frozen.
In previous instances in which Israel has withheld Palestinian tax revenues, some Israeli officials have proposed that some of the money be used to partially pay off the PA's electric bill.
22 feb 2015
Shortages in fuel reserves have forced Gaza’s power plant to shut down one generator, out of two, the plant manager Rafiq Maliha, said Saturday.
Maliha said, in a press statement, the breakdown has cropped up due to acute shortages in the needed fuel supplies.
Earlier, Thursday, The Energy Authority in Gaza raised alarm bells over a potential breakdown to rock the electricity generators of Gaza’s sole power plant with the advent of a frosty storm.
The authority further slammed the Petroleum Corporation for having trimmed down the quantities of fuel dispatched to Gaza’s sole power plant, saying they are not enough to operate the generators.
The statement urged the General Petroleum Corporation to work on supplying the blockaded Strip with the needed fuel supplies without further delay.
Over 40% of electricity shortage has been documented in power-starved Gaza. Deficit rates hit 60% due to frequent breakdowns of power generators.
Maliha said, in a press statement, the breakdown has cropped up due to acute shortages in the needed fuel supplies.
Earlier, Thursday, The Energy Authority in Gaza raised alarm bells over a potential breakdown to rock the electricity generators of Gaza’s sole power plant with the advent of a frosty storm.
The authority further slammed the Petroleum Corporation for having trimmed down the quantities of fuel dispatched to Gaza’s sole power plant, saying they are not enough to operate the generators.
The statement urged the General Petroleum Corporation to work on supplying the blockaded Strip with the needed fuel supplies without further delay.
Over 40% of electricity shortage has been documented in power-starved Gaza. Deficit rates hit 60% due to frequent breakdowns of power generators.
21 feb 2015
Eight thousand chickens died on Friday in a poultry farm in Berqin town due to heavy rainfall over Jenin governorate.
Local sources said all chickens in the poultry farm have died because of rainwater leakage into the farm. The storm also caused damage to the farm equipment.
Civil defense teams suck the water out of the farm; meanwhile, low places in different areas in the governorate were flooded, but no casualties were reported.
Local sources said all chickens in the poultry farm have died because of rainwater leakage into the farm. The storm also caused damage to the farm equipment.
Civil defense teams suck the water out of the farm; meanwhile, low places in different areas in the governorate were flooded, but no casualties were reported.
20 feb 2015
Fifty-year old Palestinian farmer Abdulrahman Abu Tir keeps 200 ostriches on his land and hopes to increase the number
The small farm in the southern West Bank seems unremarkable, but for one thing. Instead of the sheep traditional to the area, its livestock are ostriches.
Fifty-year-old farmer Abd al-Rahman Abu Tir, whose name coincidentally translates as "father of the bird," has for the last three years been farming ostriches for meat in a project unique in Palestine.
In another corner of the West Bank in Jericho, a separate group of agricultural entrepreneurs have begun the first Palestinian mushroom farm since Israel occupied the territories in 1967.
The two projects are among a growing number of ventures in Palestinian agriculture that seek to fill gaps in the market, both for business purposes and to cut reliance on Israel for food.
Picking at tufts of coarse grass, Abu Tir's giant birds -- normally spotted on the plains of Africa -- look out of place in the village of Dar Salah, where he keeps 200 of them on around five acres of land.
He said the idea for the farm came to him when Israel banned ostrich farming several years ago because it considers the animals a "protected wild species."
"I began buying the ostriches from Israeli farms when I saw that those farms were being closed" Abu Tir said.
Since then he has been selling meat, feathers, and eggs to Palestinian and Israeli buyers, but also to customers in the Gulf and neighboring Jordan.
Given ostrich meat is not a common delicacy among Israelis or Palestinians, for now Abu Tir sells only on demand, but he is optimistic the business can grow.
"It will take a while for the idea of eating ostrich to gain traction in the local market. For Palestinians it's a strange meat and it's also fairly expensive," he said.
"Even turkey took a while to catch on. Palestinians prefer to eat fattier meat such as lamb."
Abu Tir has an arsenal of arguments to promote his product.
"Ostrich meat is better for your health, and the way they are farmed is much less damaging to the environment than with sheep or cattle," he said.
Confident his business will grow, Abu Tir is negotiating with the Palestinian agriculture ministry to expand the farm.
"I'd like to have maybe 1,000 or 2,000 ostriches within the next two years, and eventually 10,000."
'100% Palestinian mushroom'
Palestinian agriculture has been suffering, with its share of GDP dropping from 77 percent 20 years ago to just five percent today, largely because of Israel's control of areas of the West Bank through settlements and accompanying restrictions on access for Palestinian farmers.
It is unclear to what extent ostrich farming can help a revival, but another venture in Jericho in the Jordan Valley is making inroads.
A group of young Palestinians are growing and selling the "first 100-percent-Palestinian mushroom," with packets appearing in supermarkets in the Palestinian administrative centre Ramallah.
Mushrooms have long been a part of local cuisine, but under the occupation Palestinians have come to rely on produce from Israeli farms, often located on settlements.
Four young Palestinian high-tech workers -- Mahmud Kahil, Samir Khreisheh, Tayeb Aql, and Wadie Nassar -- quit their jobs so they could pursue the "Amoro" project, named after the type of mushroom they grow.
Based since October at a farm in Jericho, they now produce some four or five tonnes of mushrooms every month, which sell at an average of $2 for 250 grams, against $2.50 for Israeli mushrooms.
They said their project is undercutting Israeli producers and helps give consumers more of a chance to boycott Israeli products.
"Ramallah itself consumes 2.5 to 3 tons of mushrooms each month," Kahil said.
"The goal is to sell 15 tons per month," eventually expanding sales to the Gaza Strip and neighboring countries, he said.
The small farm in the southern West Bank seems unremarkable, but for one thing. Instead of the sheep traditional to the area, its livestock are ostriches.
Fifty-year-old farmer Abd al-Rahman Abu Tir, whose name coincidentally translates as "father of the bird," has for the last three years been farming ostriches for meat in a project unique in Palestine.
In another corner of the West Bank in Jericho, a separate group of agricultural entrepreneurs have begun the first Palestinian mushroom farm since Israel occupied the territories in 1967.
The two projects are among a growing number of ventures in Palestinian agriculture that seek to fill gaps in the market, both for business purposes and to cut reliance on Israel for food.
Picking at tufts of coarse grass, Abu Tir's giant birds -- normally spotted on the plains of Africa -- look out of place in the village of Dar Salah, where he keeps 200 of them on around five acres of land.
He said the idea for the farm came to him when Israel banned ostrich farming several years ago because it considers the animals a "protected wild species."
"I began buying the ostriches from Israeli farms when I saw that those farms were being closed" Abu Tir said.
Since then he has been selling meat, feathers, and eggs to Palestinian and Israeli buyers, but also to customers in the Gulf and neighboring Jordan.
Given ostrich meat is not a common delicacy among Israelis or Palestinians, for now Abu Tir sells only on demand, but he is optimistic the business can grow.
"It will take a while for the idea of eating ostrich to gain traction in the local market. For Palestinians it's a strange meat and it's also fairly expensive," he said.
"Even turkey took a while to catch on. Palestinians prefer to eat fattier meat such as lamb."
Abu Tir has an arsenal of arguments to promote his product.
"Ostrich meat is better for your health, and the way they are farmed is much less damaging to the environment than with sheep or cattle," he said.
Confident his business will grow, Abu Tir is negotiating with the Palestinian agriculture ministry to expand the farm.
"I'd like to have maybe 1,000 or 2,000 ostriches within the next two years, and eventually 10,000."
'100% Palestinian mushroom'
Palestinian agriculture has been suffering, with its share of GDP dropping from 77 percent 20 years ago to just five percent today, largely because of Israel's control of areas of the West Bank through settlements and accompanying restrictions on access for Palestinian farmers.
It is unclear to what extent ostrich farming can help a revival, but another venture in Jericho in the Jordan Valley is making inroads.
A group of young Palestinians are growing and selling the "first 100-percent-Palestinian mushroom," with packets appearing in supermarkets in the Palestinian administrative centre Ramallah.
Mushrooms have long been a part of local cuisine, but under the occupation Palestinians have come to rely on produce from Israeli farms, often located on settlements.
Four young Palestinian high-tech workers -- Mahmud Kahil, Samir Khreisheh, Tayeb Aql, and Wadie Nassar -- quit their jobs so they could pursue the "Amoro" project, named after the type of mushroom they grow.
Based since October at a farm in Jericho, they now produce some four or five tonnes of mushrooms every month, which sell at an average of $2 for 250 grams, against $2.50 for Israeli mushrooms.
They said their project is undercutting Israeli producers and helps give consumers more of a chance to boycott Israeli products.
"Ramallah itself consumes 2.5 to 3 tons of mushrooms each month," Kahil said.
"The goal is to sell 15 tons per month," eventually expanding sales to the Gaza Strip and neighboring countries, he said.
19 feb 2015
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said signing the gas agreement with Israel by the Palestinian Authority (PA) earlier this year is humiliating and shameful, especially at a time when the Israeli occupation is seizing the Palestinian tax revenues and at a time when calls are rising for the boycott of Israeli products.
In a statement on Thursday, the PFLP demanded the immediate cancellation of the gas agreement signed between the PA and Israel.
The demand was made not only because the agreement was signed without the consensus of the Palestinian people and its representatives of the factions constituting the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), but also because it guarantees the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, for the next 20 years, according to the PFLP.
The PFLP charged those who signed the agreement of approving the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories for at least twenty years to come.
The PFLP called on the Palestinian national organizations along with syndicates and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to pressure the PA leaders to cancel the agreement.
In a statement on Thursday, the PFLP demanded the immediate cancellation of the gas agreement signed between the PA and Israel.
The demand was made not only because the agreement was signed without the consensus of the Palestinian people and its representatives of the factions constituting the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), but also because it guarantees the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, for the next 20 years, according to the PFLP.
The PFLP charged those who signed the agreement of approving the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories for at least twenty years to come.
The PFLP called on the Palestinian national organizations along with syndicates and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to pressure the PA leaders to cancel the agreement.
18 feb 2015
Thirty-three sheep were killed by stray dogs on a farm in the village of Qarawat Bani Hussan west of Salfit on Wednesday, local farmers said.
Owner of the farm, Mahmoud Marie, told Ma'an that six stray dogs attacked his farm, killing the sheep in their pen.
Marie told Ma'an that each of the sheep is worth around 1,000 shekels ($260), meaning that the incident cost him nearly $8,600.
He called upon the Palestinian Minister of Agriculture and the veterinary services to solve the problem of stray dogs in the region.
Marie argued that the reason there are so many stray dogs in the area is that settlers bring them by car and leave them in the area, though this allegation could not be verified.
Owner of the farm, Mahmoud Marie, told Ma'an that six stray dogs attacked his farm, killing the sheep in their pen.
Marie told Ma'an that each of the sheep is worth around 1,000 shekels ($260), meaning that the incident cost him nearly $8,600.
He called upon the Palestinian Minister of Agriculture and the veterinary services to solve the problem of stray dogs in the region.
Marie argued that the reason there are so many stray dogs in the area is that settlers bring them by car and leave them in the area, though this allegation could not be verified.
A number of official and popular institutions and activists declared Tuesday rejection to the purchase of Israeli gas.
The Palestinian government and some private sector institutions have earlier signed an agreement to import natural gas from the occupation state on 01/05/2014, worth 1.2 billion dollars, for 20 years.
In a press conference organized by the BDS Movement, the participants called for an end to the Palestinian dependence on Israel and to locally exploit Gaza's offshore gas fields.
Abbas Zaki, a member of Fatah's Central Committee, considered the purchase of Israeli gas as a big national and strategic mistake.
The agreement, signed early last year to import natural gas supplies from Israel for 20 years, would provide more legitimacy to Israeli control over Palestinian economy.
For his part, the BDS coordinator pointed out that boycott campaigns have been launched in Palestine and Jordan to pressure the countries’ governments to revoke their gas agreements with Israel.
Along the same line, head of the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) Dr. Azmi Shuaibi confirmed that the PA government refused to hand him a copy of the preliminary agreement.
He revealed that the Palestinian government is a key partner in this agreement through the Palestinian Investment Fund, which is a quasi-governmental financial institution.
He called for looking for other fuel and gas alternative supplies in Qatar, Turkey, or Venezuela.
The Palestinian government and some private sector institutions have earlier signed an agreement to import natural gas from the occupation state on 01/05/2014, worth 1.2 billion dollars, for 20 years.
In a press conference organized by the BDS Movement, the participants called for an end to the Palestinian dependence on Israel and to locally exploit Gaza's offshore gas fields.
Abbas Zaki, a member of Fatah's Central Committee, considered the purchase of Israeli gas as a big national and strategic mistake.
The agreement, signed early last year to import natural gas supplies from Israel for 20 years, would provide more legitimacy to Israeli control over Palestinian economy.
For his part, the BDS coordinator pointed out that boycott campaigns have been launched in Palestine and Jordan to pressure the countries’ governments to revoke their gas agreements with Israel.
Along the same line, head of the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) Dr. Azmi Shuaibi confirmed that the PA government refused to hand him a copy of the preliminary agreement.
He revealed that the Palestinian government is a key partner in this agreement through the Palestinian Investment Fund, which is a quasi-governmental financial institution.
He called for looking for other fuel and gas alternative supplies in Qatar, Turkey, or Venezuela.
16 feb 2015
The Palestinian ministry of economy has accused Israel of depriving the Palestinians of using the natural resources of the Dead Sea near Ariha (Jericho).
In a press release on Sunday, the ministry stated that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has monopolized the available resources of the Dead Sea for itself and denied the Palestinian access to them.
The ministry noted that the Dead Sea is rich in unique minerals, especially potash and bromine, which are utilized by Israeli companies to generate billions of dollars every year.
A report issued by the World Bank in 2013 affirmed that Israel alone generates about three billion dollars annually from the sale of Dead Sea minerals, while Jordan makes annual sales of 1.2 billion dollars, according to the ministry.
"Taking as a benchmark the average value added by the Dead Sea industries to the Jordanian and the Israeli economies, the Palestinian economy could derive up to 918 million dollars every year, equal to nine percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, which is almost equivalent to the size of the entire Palestinian manufacturing sector," the ministry quoted the World Bank as saying in its report.
The ministry also pointed out that Israel had allowed a number of companies to establish factories manufacturing Dead Sea products on Palestinian-owned land.
The ministry expressed its belief that if the Palestinians had access to the Dead Sea mineral resources and power sources, and was able to establish investment projects in the region, they could create a sustainable economic development for themselves.
In a press release on Sunday, the ministry stated that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has monopolized the available resources of the Dead Sea for itself and denied the Palestinian access to them.
The ministry noted that the Dead Sea is rich in unique minerals, especially potash and bromine, which are utilized by Israeli companies to generate billions of dollars every year.
A report issued by the World Bank in 2013 affirmed that Israel alone generates about three billion dollars annually from the sale of Dead Sea minerals, while Jordan makes annual sales of 1.2 billion dollars, according to the ministry.
"Taking as a benchmark the average value added by the Dead Sea industries to the Jordanian and the Israeli economies, the Palestinian economy could derive up to 918 million dollars every year, equal to nine percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, which is almost equivalent to the size of the entire Palestinian manufacturing sector," the ministry quoted the World Bank as saying in its report.
The ministry also pointed out that Israel had allowed a number of companies to establish factories manufacturing Dead Sea products on Palestinian-owned land.
The ministry expressed its belief that if the Palestinians had access to the Dead Sea mineral resources and power sources, and was able to establish investment projects in the region, they could create a sustainable economic development for themselves.
12 feb 2015
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) revealed in a new press release issued Thursday that the unemployment rate in Palestine increased to 26.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Its report stated that the number of the unemployed was 336,900 in the 4th quarter of 2014 compared with 359,400 in the 3rd quarter of 2014.
194,700 of the unemployed people in the Gaza Strip and 142,200 in the West Bank during 4th quarter of 2014, according to the report.
The PCBS also said that the unemployment rate in Gaza decreased from 47.4 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014 to 42.8 percent in the 4th quarter of 2014; it also decreased in the West Bank from 19.2 percent to 17.4 percent during the same period.
It pointed out that the unemployment rate for males in Palestine was 23.8 percent compared with 36.5% for females in the 4th quarter of 2014.
Its report stated that the number of the unemployed was 336,900 in the 4th quarter of 2014 compared with 359,400 in the 3rd quarter of 2014.
194,700 of the unemployed people in the Gaza Strip and 142,200 in the West Bank during 4th quarter of 2014, according to the report.
The PCBS also said that the unemployment rate in Gaza decreased from 47.4 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014 to 42.8 percent in the 4th quarter of 2014; it also decreased in the West Bank from 19.2 percent to 17.4 percent during the same period.
It pointed out that the unemployment rate for males in Palestine was 23.8 percent compared with 36.5% for females in the 4th quarter of 2014.
9 feb 2015
The absence of a Palestinian national currency that Palestinians can use in their financial dealings negatively affects their savings and the purchasing power of their salaries, making them subject to the global financial crisis and currency fluctuations.
Palestinians are compelled to use a number of different currencies in their financial dealings; they buy in shekels, save in Jordanian Dinars, and a huge number of them receive their salaries in American dollars while a few number of the employees in the international institutions receive their salaries in euros.
Mazen Ghanim, an economist, pointed out that this variety of currencies being used by the Palestinians, especially the Israeli shekel, negatively affects the Palestinian economy and its financial, monetary and economic indicators.
It also leads to the inability to stabilize prices, maintain an appropriate exchange rate that is commensurate with the needs of the economy, provide financial liquidity, ensure the viability of stable exchange rate and maintain the value of the currency, banking supervision and money issuance.
Furthermore, the Palestinian revenues lose by 13.7% of the total public revenues and the international grants because of the multiplicity of currencies.
Suffering and soaring cost
The exchange rate of the dollar against the shekel has suddenly risen from 3.4 shekels to about 4 shekels, thus Palestinians who receive their salaries in shekels and repay their loans in dollars have incurred heavy losses as a result of this significant rise in the exchange rate.
Muhammad Abu Zaid, who receives his salary in shekels and repays his house loan in dollars, said that his monthly instalment has increased by 600 shekels.
Asem Abu Awn, is one of the many Palestinians who suffered from this rise in the exchange rate; as he pays the university tuitions of his three sons in Jordanian Dinars and receives his salary in shekels.
We are losing and Israel is benefiting
"Savings lose much of their value as a result of the currency fluctuation," Nasr Abdulkarim, a professor of Economics, said, adding: "The Paris Convention banned the issuance of a Palestinian currency and approved the three currencies: the dinar, the shekel and the dollar."
Various recent studies have shown that the total loss of the Palestinian economy resulting from using the Israeli shekel in the Palestinian territories is estimated at 500-600 million dollars per annum, let alone the fact that the Israeli economy yearly earns 300 million dollars by issuing the shekels used in the Palestinian market.
Palestinians are compelled to use a number of different currencies in their financial dealings; they buy in shekels, save in Jordanian Dinars, and a huge number of them receive their salaries in American dollars while a few number of the employees in the international institutions receive their salaries in euros.
Mazen Ghanim, an economist, pointed out that this variety of currencies being used by the Palestinians, especially the Israeli shekel, negatively affects the Palestinian economy and its financial, monetary and economic indicators.
It also leads to the inability to stabilize prices, maintain an appropriate exchange rate that is commensurate with the needs of the economy, provide financial liquidity, ensure the viability of stable exchange rate and maintain the value of the currency, banking supervision and money issuance.
Furthermore, the Palestinian revenues lose by 13.7% of the total public revenues and the international grants because of the multiplicity of currencies.
Suffering and soaring cost
The exchange rate of the dollar against the shekel has suddenly risen from 3.4 shekels to about 4 shekels, thus Palestinians who receive their salaries in shekels and repay their loans in dollars have incurred heavy losses as a result of this significant rise in the exchange rate.
Muhammad Abu Zaid, who receives his salary in shekels and repays his house loan in dollars, said that his monthly instalment has increased by 600 shekels.
Asem Abu Awn, is one of the many Palestinians who suffered from this rise in the exchange rate; as he pays the university tuitions of his three sons in Jordanian Dinars and receives his salary in shekels.
We are losing and Israel is benefiting
"Savings lose much of their value as a result of the currency fluctuation," Nasr Abdulkarim, a professor of Economics, said, adding: "The Paris Convention banned the issuance of a Palestinian currency and approved the three currencies: the dinar, the shekel and the dollar."
Various recent studies have shown that the total loss of the Palestinian economy resulting from using the Israeli shekel in the Palestinian territories is estimated at 500-600 million dollars per annum, let alone the fact that the Israeli economy yearly earns 300 million dollars by issuing the shekels used in the Palestinian market.
