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Palestinian Authority Faces Crisis Over Salaries

The inability of the Palestinian Authority to pay its employees a salary for the last three months is beginning to have serious repercussions, writes Omar Shaban.
Palestinians security officers stand in front of protesters during clashes at a demonstration against high living costs and the government in the West Bank city of Hebron September 10, 2012. Palestinian youths attacked a local police station and other government buildings in Hebron on Monday as protests against the rising cost of living in the occupied West Bank turned increasingly violent. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR37S7M
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The financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has left it unable to pay its employees, has had negative consequences for Palestinian society. The crisis has affected the PA’s popularity and the stability of Palestinian society, and it has increased anger and tension between the PA and the people. 

During the three months of October, November and December, the PA paid its employees one month’s salary in two installments. Meanwhile, the Hamas government has managed to pay its employees on a much more regular basis. 

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