JERUSALEM, Dec. 13, 2001 (IslamOnline) - The old clothes market in the 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 clothing for `Eid from these markets.

Speaking to IslamOnline, the traders said that the rate of the people coming to these markets have increased nearly 30 per cent from the rates before Ramadan, and that is due to the continuing Israeli siege on Palestinian lands and the increase of the unemployment and the lack of spending money.

Many Palestinians feel that the low prices in these markets encourages them to buy their needs from it, 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 that he is used to taking his seven children every year to the market and buy new clothes for them.

But this year, because he lost his job for over a year, he decided to take them to this market, in an attempt to make them happy and to help them buy clothes for `Eid. He added that his income is not small and is not sufficient for his family’s food and drink requirement. It does not exceed 100 dinars, most of it coming from donations and assistance from the Social affairs minister, the Zakat committee and charity organizations in the city.

Abdelatif Arif, owner of a clothes store 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 these 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 can not afford new bags or shoes for their loved ones.

During the few days preceding `Eid, street sellers’ businesses also flourishes in the markets and main streets in many Palestinian cities. Many of the Palestinians feel that the reason is the increase of unemployment rates which reached 60 per cent in Gaza and nearly 50 per cent in the west bank

Abu Mohammad, one of the traders said that he is trying to gain extra money during this season to buy things for his family. To that he is selling toys and sweets with low prices so that it sells fast among the customers.

The markets of Ramallah, is witnessing a bad economic state, unlike previous years, where it’s popular markets were active.

Economically, the Palestinian cities have witnessed unprecedented slump indicating that the commercial movement has decreased at least 50 per cent less than the previous years. He said that most of the items being sold to customers is on deferred payment basis.

He added that the ministry of labor statistics indicated that the poverty rates decreased to more than 60 per cent in the Palestinian territories due to the siege.

Many Palestinians feel that `Eid will not be the same in the light of the continuing Israeli aggression and that they will only be able to celebrate when the occupation ends and an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as it’s capital.