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Palestinians Head to Old Clothes Markets to Celebrate Eid
By Maha Abdulhadi
JERUSALEM, Dec. 13 (IslamOnline) - The old clothes market in Palestinian cities witness a thriving business just before Eid-Al-Fitr.
Because of deteriorating economic situations caused by the Israeli siege on Palestinian cities, many people buy their Eid clothing from these markets.
Speaking to IslamOnline, the traders said the rate of the people coming to these markets has increased nearly 30% from the rates before Ramadan, due to continuing Israeli economic closures on Palestinian lands, an increase in unemployment and a lack of spending money.
Many Palestinians feel the low prices in these markets encourages them to meet their needs, especially due to the fact that many of the clothes are actually not old. Many are stylish clothes coming in from European countries.
Jalal Al-Libdi, from one of the towns in Tulkarem, is a regular customer to the old clothes market. He said he is used to taking his seven children every year to the market to buy new clothes for them.
But this year, because he has been unemployed for over a year, he decided to take his children to the market in an attempt to make them happy and help them buy clothes for Eid.
He added that his income is small and insufficient for his family's basic food needs, not exceeding 100 dinars, most of it coming from donations and assistance from the Social Affairs
ministry, the Zakat committee and charity organizations in the city.
Abdelatif Arif, a clothes store owner, said that every year he hires four people to work during this season, but this year he did not hire a single worker and is doing all the work himself.
"I open the store at around noon, and I only see a few customers, most of them from the more affluent class, and this all goes back to the unemployment rates," he said.
Shoe repair shops and tailors have also witnessed many customers, according to shop owners.
Abu Ali, who works in a shoe repair shop in Al Zawya market in Gaza, said that there are many customers who come to repair their shoes and bags before Eid, since many of them cannot afford new bags or shoes for family members.
During the few days preceding Eid, street sellers' businesses also flourish in the markets and main streets in many Palestinian cities. Many Palestinians feel the reason is due to the increase in unemployment, which reached 60% in Gaza and nearly 50% in the West Bank
Abu Mohammad, a trader, said he is trying to gain extra money during this season to buy things for his family. To that end, he is selling toys and sweets at low prices so that it sells fast.
Ramallah's markets, however, are in a worsening economic situation, unlike in previous years when its popular markets were active.
Economically, Palestinian cities have witnessed unprecedented slumps indicating commerce has decreased by at least 50% from previous years. He said that most items being sold to customers are on a deferred payment basis.
Abu Mohammad added that Ministry of Labor statistics indicated that poverty rates increased to more than 60% in the Palestinian territories due to the Israeli siege.
Many Palestinians feel that Eid will not be the same in the light of continuing Israeli violence, and that they will only be able to celebrate after the long Israeli military occupation ends, and an independent Palestine state is established with East Jerusalem as its capital.
"How can we enjoy Eid when the occupation took away our loved ones!" says Basma, the mother of one of five Palestinians recently killed in the current Intifada, or uprising.
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