Shoppers crowded the market place in Nablus Monday for Eid Al Adha. The
Muslim holiday was called for 30 December this year and people in the
streets said they were hopeful that the internal conflict would be
calmed by then. It seems that the population expects that dialogue will
be underway once again for the formation of a unity government.
Touring the old market, the trade center and the vegetable market, the majority of traders said that business was better than they had expected, but not as it has been in previous years.
A clothing merchant named Mohammad told PNN that the recent security problems are affecting people's habits, but not as much as the continuing economic crisis. For merchant Faris sales are down enough that he does not believe he will be able to meet basic expenses due to the months-long financial blockade.
Citizen Nawal Salim did not buy the customary new clothes during Eid Al Fitr this fall due to the blockade. He said that he hopes Eid Al Adha clothes will be a possibility as winter has hit. Clothing prices are down, as is the price of lamb for the traditional sacrifice. But most families will not be buying either, according to northern West Bank residents.
All said they advocated the formation of a national unity government that will end factional infighting and bring about an end to the international blockade.
