Hamas: PA residents protest, Abbas buys designer shoes
Recent West Bank protests over cost of living play right into Hamas hands; claim situation better in Gaza Strip and note that while people suffer, Abbas buys designer shoes
The al-Resalah news site, which is affiliated with Hamas, lost no time in verbally attacking Palestianian President Mahmoud Abbas, quoting an article from Italy's Il-Messaggero newspaper and claiming: "Abbas' shoes cost 20,000 euro!"
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The article alleges that the Palestinian president prefers to buy moccasins by world renowned Italian shoemaker 'Fabi'. According to reports, the price of one pair of shoes could cost as much as 20,000 euros (about $25,500).
Haute Couture? (Photo: AFP)
Palestinians across the West Bank protested last week against the rising price of petrol, while police forces attempted to restore order.
Several protests took place in a number of cities. In Hebron, truck, tractor and taxi drivers all protested against the cost of living by forming a convoy along the main city streets. Signs reading, "The people want to reduce the cost of living," were posted on every vehicle.
At the same time, hundreds of civilians rallied in the main city squares of Hebron, Ramallah and Bethlehem against the cost of living and the high unemployment rate.
Speaking about the protests last week Abbas said as long as the protests were peaceful, the Palestinian Authority would continue to allow them. "I am against armed uprisings," he said. "I am against opening fire, because I know how the consequences of doing so affect our people.
"I am pro peaceful demonstrations, whether they are against the occupation or against the PA."
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said he was willing to resign if the public demanded, but did not say that he was going to do so.
"If there is a real public demand that I resign, and if it would solve the economic problems, then I would not hesitate to step down, nor would I delay it," Fayyad told reporters in Ramallah.
Hamas has naturally been calling on Fayyad to resign as prime minister.
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