Palestinians in the occupied West Bank cities of Hebron and Bethlehem staged protests against prices hikes and security chaos, calling for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to assume its responsibility towards them.
Companies and unions said the increase in prices was driven by the government raising taxes and custom fees.
Hundreds of angry protesters gathered for the demonstration on Sunday. Truckers and taxi drivers led the crowd by chanting against the hike and security chaos. The drivers and other protesters chanted: "No to price hikes… We want to live."
They also called for the PA to reduce prices, cancel new taxes, as well as to put an end to the security chaos, mainly in Hebron.
Member of Public Syndicate for Transportation Workers, Adel Amr, said: "Our message to the PA is clear: We want to live in dignity and we reject the price hikes."
"We call for the PA to increase its scrutiny over the local markets, turn those who play with prices to courts to punish them and cancel the taxes imposed by the Financial Ministry."
The protests came following several measures imposed by the PA, including imposing new taxes that led to notable price hikes for the basic materials.
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.
On Saturday, the PA government declared the formation of a committee to study and follow up on the issue of the price hikes in the local markets.
Demonstrators called, in repeated chants, for the departure of the government.
“This strike is a protest against the high prices in all areas, the exorbitant taxes imposed by the government, and the exploitation by some supply companies and merchants of citizens experiencing difficult economic conditions,” said activist Mohammed Ayyad.
