Palestinian Health Profession Federation Goes on Strike

People wearing face masks to help fight the spread of the coronavirus walk past shops in a market in Jerusalem's Old City July 6, 2020. (Reuters)
People wearing face masks to help fight the spread of the coronavirus walk past shops in a market in Jerusalem's Old City July 6, 2020. (Reuters)
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Palestinian Health Profession Federation Goes on Strike

People wearing face masks to help fight the spread of the coronavirus walk past shops in a market in Jerusalem's Old City July 6, 2020. (Reuters)
People wearing face masks to help fight the spread of the coronavirus walk past shops in a market in Jerusalem's Old City July 6, 2020. (Reuters)

The Palestinian Federation of Health Profession went on strike on Wednesday. The move covers all health sector workers, except those in the coronavirus treatment department.

This strike is the first practical step by the unions in anger against the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) management of financial affairs.

According to the Union head, Osama al-Najjar, the strike is aimed at protesting against the policy of “humiliating” workers.

In remarks to local radio, he said the strike was not prompted by the failure to pay the salaries of public sector employees, but is rather a rejection of policies adopted by banks that are backed by the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA).

He slammed the Ministry of Finance, PMA and the banks, accusing them of “implementing a policy of oppression and humiliation against employees.”

Najjar also called on the government to hold the monetary authority accountable and force the PMA and the Finance Ministry to provide justifications for the fines and interests that they have imposed.

The PA has been unable to pay public salaries, while banks have been collecting its loans and the interest for the payments delays. The PA has pledged to resolve the issue.

The monetary authority’s measures have exacerbated living conditions in Palestine. Many workers have already lost their jobs since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in early March.

The Palestinian economy was already suffering even before the pandemic. The PA relies on local and foreign grants, aid and loans, as well as taxes, all of which have dropped due to the world's preoccupation with the pandemic.

According to figures by the Finance Ministry, domestic income dropped by 80 percent during the past two months.



Senior Israeli Official: Al-Sharaa Is Clearly Our Enemy

Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
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Senior Israeli Official: Al-Sharaa Is Clearly Our Enemy

Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)

A senior Israeli official warned on Tuesday that the growing understandings between Syria and Türkiye could restrict Israel's operational freedom in Syria.

Regarding Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Haaretz newspaper quoted the senior official as saying, “He is a classic Islamist and clearly our enemy – without a doubt.”

The official added, "This is a strategic asset we must preserve. Türkiye’s goal is to limit Israeli activity in Syria. We have no interest in confrontation, but we won't give up our positions either."

The senior official also addressed the Israeli Army operations in Syria, stating, “We have full backing from the US president.”

Regarding the possibility of Türkiye establishing a base in Syria, he said, “We don't believe Erdogan will be the one to provide the funding.”

Lately, Israeli officials have voiced concerns over reports that Türkiye is considering establishing a military base in Syria.

Israeli security sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations to discuss concerns over Turkish influence in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime, and is trying to portray a confrontation with Ankara as inevitable.

The Hebrew website Walla, citing security sources, said Syria is holding contacts with Türkiye regarding the transfer of areas near Palmyra (central Syria) to the Turkish army in exchange for economic and military support for Damascus. This development sparked significant Israeli concerns, the sources said.
They noted that the new Syrian regime is working to restore military bases and enhance missile and defense capabilities in the south, near Israel.

Last Thursday, a Turkish Ministry of Defense source confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat reports about plans to establish a military base in Syria.

The source, who requested anonymity, said Türkiye is evaluating, in line with the new Syrian government's requests, the possibility of setting up a training base to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian military.

This statement was made in response to questions during a weekly press briefing by the Turkish Ministry of Defense, addressing recent reports regarding the potential establishment of a Turkish military base in Palmyra, Homs province, and an airbase at the Menagh Military Airport in Aleppo province.

“All our activities in Syria are coordinated in advance with the relevant parties, and all necessary security measures are taken,” the source added.

Earlier last month, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will defend itself against any threat from Syria, while vowing the military will continue working to keep southern Syria demilitarized.

“We will ensure that southern Syria remains demilitarized and free of threats, and we will protect the local Druze population - anyone who does harm to them will face out response,” he wrote on his X page.