Unpaid Gaza employees lash out at Qatari ambassador
Some hospital maintenance workers who haven't been paid in months expressed their frustration while the Qatari ambassador was visiting the Gaza Strip.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — On Feb. 19, some Palestinians lashed out at Qatar's ambassador to the Palestinian territories, Mohammed Al-Emadi, during his visit to the Gaza Strip, sparking conflicting reactions. Some Arab media outlets that support the Gulf states' boycott of Qatar portrayed the demonstration as a Palestinian refusal of Qatar’s support for Gaza.
Some angry cleaning workers at Al-Shifa Hospital who have not received their salaries for five months shouted and pushed each other toward Emadi as he headed toward his car after his press conference. Emadi was there to announce the details of a $9 million Qatari grant for the hospital, which is the largest medical complex in Gaza City. Emadi said the grant would include funding for medical supplies, food and fuel, among other things, but he added that the unpaid salaries issue does not involve his country. The workers expressed their objection to Emadi ignoring their payment issue during the press conference, and security forces had to escort Emadi away from the premises.
