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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Bethlehem deportees: 2000 Euro a month not enough |
| 2009-08-22 |
| Ma'an - Bethlehem deportees declared an open hunger strike at the Palestinian embassy in Italy in protest of what they say are difficult living conditions in Europe. Half a dozen of the men deported to Europe following the Israeli siege of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem say they are not receiving enough money from the Palestine Liberation Organization to cover their cost of living. Spokesman of the deportees Jihad Ij'arah told Ma'an that those deported to Italy say Palestinian official's "ignorance and carelessness" over their situation has resulted in many of the men having their water and electricity cut off from their homes and others being threatened with eviction as they are unable to pay high rents in European cities. The deportees are reportedly entitled to 2000 Euro each month, with an additional 150 Euro to provide for their families, most of who remain in the West Bank. Ij'arah said he had attempted to contact PLO member Sa'eb Erekat, and sent letters to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 2000 euros per month (after taxes) is more than the average salary an Italian shopsperson, hairdresser, factory worker would have. BUT if four people band together you could live damn well with 8000 for 4. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2009-08-22 19:15 |
| #2 That's like poverty for an American family of four, I think. It probably didn't occur to the striking gentlemen to share a flat together to reduce expenses, or learn to cook spaghetti instead of letting restaurant chefs cook for them every night. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-08-22 15:00 |
| #1 Translation = 1.433 dollars to 1 Euro = 2150 euros x 1.433 = 3080.95 per month or $36971.40 per year |
| Posted by: Omavigum Forkbeard3691 2009-08-22 08:31 |