Abbas raises taxes on trucks bringing goods to Gaza

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday raised taxes paid by truck drivers who transport commodities through the Karm Abu Salem crossing to Gaza, the Private Transportation Association said.

Head of the Private Transportation Association in Gaza Nahed Shuhibar said that Abbas increased the levies by 30 shekels ($8). Drivers are already charged 1,200 ($325) to use the crossing.

Speaking to the Shehab News Agency, Shuhibar said that this tax is paid to the PA at Karm Abu Salem Crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip, while the Palestinian drivers in the West Bank have no taxes imposed on them.

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“This is a political decision imposed by President Mahmoud Abbas,” the General Director of Palestinian Crossing and Borders Authority Nazmi Muhanna said.

Import taxes have increased four-fold since the PA took control of Gaza’s crossing as a result of the reconciliation deal agreed between the Palestinian factions in October last year.

Truck drivers help a strike in protest against the increased taxes.