Palestinians opt for illegal SIM cards smuggled from Israel

West Bank authorities are combating the use of black-market Israeli telecom services, which Palestinians prefer over the pricier internet packages offered by local operators.
A Palestinian man sells used mobile phones in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 24, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC11656AA640
A Palestinian man sells used mobile phones in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Jan. 24, 2018. - REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman
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Rasha Abou Jalal
@rashaaboujalal1
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Palestinian police recently seized 100 Israeli prepaid SIM cards smuggled from Israel into the West Bank.

Police discovered the cards, which were hidden inside a vehicle, June 27 in the city of Dura. Smuggled SIM cards have cost the Palestinian economy dearly, and in April 2017, the Palestinian public prosecutor barred all shops and telecom services in the West Bank from acquiring and selling Israeli prepaid cards.

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