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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan | ||
| Hamas fees and taxes infuriate Gazans | ||
| 2011-10-08 | ||
Hamas is imposing a taxation system that raises the cost of fuel, permits and government-property leases. The measures are angering Gazans and raising speculation that Hamas is suffering from a significant drop in funding from Islamist supporters.
Gazans complain that officials with the Hamas government have suddenly begun requiring permits and demanding exorbitant fees from people who have expanded their homes.
Taxi drivers are being told to pay years of unpaid income taxes if they want their drivers licences renewed. The Palestinian Authority stopped collecting those taxes when it controlled Gaza during the second intifada. Even tunnel operators, the economic lifeblood of the Israeli-blockaded territory, have been told to register with the authorities, and pay for permits, or face closure. "We are smugglers and what we do is inherently illegal. How can they ask us to get licensed?" asked a tunnel operator on the border with Egypt, who gave his name as Abu Saqer, 38. At the same time, Hamas raised the price of petrol and heating fuel last month, causing inflation to ripple through the economy, weakening purchasing power and causing job losses. | ||
| Posted by:tipper |
| #3 Rockets be expensive. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2011-10-08 20:38 |
| #2 "Hamas raised the price of petrol and heating fuel last month, causing inflation to ripple through the economy, weakening purchasing power and causing job losses." Gee, sound like "Even tunnel operators, the economic lifeblood of the FTFY, Mr. "Reporter." The tax on fixing is $2.50. Pay up. |
| Posted by: Barbara 2011-10-08 18:26 |
| #1 watch yer feets. POG© (Podiatrists of Gaza) is looking to make a killing here |
| Posted by: Frank G 2011-10-08 18:13 |