Abu Mazen is in trouble:
the chairman of the Palestinian Authority has become the target of an attack in recent days following the initiative he announced yesterday (Monday). Abu Mazen, there is widespread opposition on the Palestinian street.
The purpose of the initiative, which should be spread over an entire year, is to collect funds from the subscribers of the Palestinian cellular companies - "Vatanya" and "Jowel", which operate in the territories of the PA.
The funds will be used "to strengthen the residents of East Jerusalem".
"We don't want alms", even in East Jerusalem they oppose the project 'Shekel for Jerusalem', photo: Lior Mizrahi
Abu Mazen's plan met with widespread opposition on the Palestinian street.
A wave of criticism and condemnation began to arise in Judea and Samaria and East Jerusalem following the messages residents received on their cell phones, which read that "in accordance with the President's decision, your account will be charged an additional shekel every month, as part of the initiative to support Jerusalem."
Angry residents called the cell companies and threatened to cut off service if the move was implemented.
Social activists harshly attacked the leadership in Ramallah, expressing lack of confidence in the initiative.
"We support our brother in Jerusalem, but we do not believe that the money that the Palestinian resident will donate by himself will end up in the right places. Why can't the cell phone companies donate from their profits? Why doesn't the Palestinian government fund from its budget?", they said mockingly.
The opponents pointed out that the Palestinian Authority had organized several campaigns in the past in which the public contributed their money, but had not seen actual results.
For example, on Palestinian Street, they mention the operation of donations for the construction of the "Khaled Alhassan" hospital, which has not yet been established.
Other examples are the donations raised in the PA's territories for the "Wakpa Eaz" fund, the same fund that was established during the Corona period.
It is not known what happened to the funds in that project, and the same goes for the donations collected for the restoration of the Palestinian refugee camp "Albard River" in Lebanon.
The Palestinian street against the "Shekel for Jerusalem" initiative, Abu Mazen in Ramallah (archive), photo: AFP
"Everyone should oppose because this is a failed idea and an illogical theft. With all due respect to the residents of Jerusalem, this is not the way," Yosh resident Awad Zahar responded on Facebook. Another resident, Nasrallah Nassar, noted that "this is exploitation and attempted fraud." Samer Najem Edin, a legal expert from Hebron wondered, "When these funds are collected, what guarantees that they will actually be directed to projects and development in Jerusalem?!".
"This is an insult to the intelligence of the people and is against the law. They want to steal our money, we will not let that happen. In the name of strengthening Jerusalem, corruption is being done at our expense," said other residents, some of whom even threatened to take legal action.
East Jerusalem also expressed dissatisfaction with Abu Mazen's new initiative.
"We don't need a shekel a month from the residents of the West Bank, who are also suffering from economic hardship," said the city's residents.
"Who are the parties in Jerusalem to whom the funds will be transferred? We do not collect donations and do not want this money," noted Ahmed Budiri, a journalist from East Jerusalem.
"We need real leadership behind us with a national position and correct decisions, so that we know that there are those who care about us and our interests as part of the Palestinian people. The PA only issues statements of support for the residents of Jerusalem but does not do much for it. We do not feel that there is a back behind us. Another shekel or less than a shekel from the PA - It is not important. What is important is that we feel that we have someone to trust and that there is someone who protects us. The authority does not provide that," said angry residents.
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