Circumstances force Palestinians to abandon some Eid’s customs

GAZA\MUSTAFA DAHDOH

Difficult economic circumstances has been prevailing on the general view of a geographical zone which space does not exceed 365 km2 where two million people live, the Gaza Strip. This small spot’s residents got used to receiving it in a state of despair due to the deteriorating livelihood circumstances and conditions day after day, perhaps Eid al-Fitr, which is imminent, is one of the most difficult holidays received in the strip.

Customs and traditions in receiving Eid al-Fitr differ from a people to another, in Palestine; customs are deep-rooted since hundreds of years. This year, however, the wind has gone against the wish of the Gaza ships.

Usually, the people of the Gaza Strip begin preparations for Eid in the late week of holy Ramadan month, in order to receive it the best way, but this year, Palestinians seem to be unable to meet the simplest of Eid’s requirements because of the Israeli siege on the strip since 12.

In addition to that, the Palestinian division made the situation even worse, regardless of partial providing employees’ salaries.

Amid these bitter economic circumstances, Gaza markets are witnessing a weak demand by citizens to buy clothes and shoes in comparison with previous years because of the low purchasing power for citizens which caused the goods to stockpile, so merchants were forced to make discounts.

Hamada al-Sharfa a merchant hopes the purchase movement improves during the coming days; he assured that the financial situation is not good since 50% of salaries has been only granted which does not meet the basic requirements of life, noting that this Eid will be sad.

Among the deep-rooted traditions and customs since hundreds of years ago is preparing cakes and Mamoul on the Palestinian way, but this year, demand on buying pastry products is weak, passers-by go before shops, perceive them and nobody cares about buying.

However, the good thing is people’s demand on buying fish which is an Egyptian heritage that moved to Palestine during the past decades.

Muhanad al-Fileet, fish seller, noted that citizens’ demand on fish purchase is good, attributing the cause to cheap prices ranging from 9 to 24 shekel which is around 2.5-7 $ per kilogram.

Since 2018, the Gaza Strip is witnessing many economic problems amid discounts that reached the salaries of the Palestinian authority’s employees in the Gaza Strip which number is 175 thousand civil and military employees. Reductions in March 2017 were 30% while in 2018 it reached 50%. 

Unemployment rate in the Gaza Strip during the first quarter of the present year is 49.1%, and poverty rates are 53%, while utter poverty rates are 33%.

J.O

ANHA