Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad announced measures to ease economic hardship following stepped up Palestinian protests in the West Bank.

Fayad on Tuesday announced that the value added tax will be reduced by two percent to 15 percent and he lowered prices on diesel, gas and kerosene, following a meeting with ministers to discuss ways to solve the economic crisis, the Palestinian Ma’an news service reported.

Palestinian protests in the West Bank turned violent and destructive late on Monday, with thousands of protesters burning tires and attacking police in the streets of Hebron and Nablus. Protesters also reportedly smashed the windows of the municipal building and a police station in Hebron.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Also in Hebron, protesters threw shoes at a life-size poster of Fayad. Throwing shoes is a sign of disrespect in the Arab world.

Palestinian taxi, truck and bus drivers also staged a one-day strike on Monday.

Civil servants did not receive paychecks for the month of August. Fayad said they would receive half of their salaries Wednesday and the rest by the end of the week.

Israeli officials are concerned that the unrest over economics and frustration with the Palestinian leadership could turn into a third Intifada directed at Israel, Reuters reported.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount