WEST BANK (Dispatches) – Poverty rate in the Israeli-occupied territories has increased sharply, making it the second poorest among developed countries after Costa Rica, according to a report by the occupying regime’s insurance institute (NII).
People in the occupied territories have felt the squeeze of inflation and economic malaise since 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic pushed the regime to impose prolonged lockdowns.
According to the NII, more than one in four families struggled to cover monthly expenses in 2021, almost 26 percent of the total population.
“More than 1 in 4 households in Israel (26%) were unable to cover all monthly expenses in 2021, with 10.6% of households forgoing medical treatment and 6.9% going without buying prescription drugs,” the report said.
The 2021 poverty line in the occupied territories sat at about 2,849 shekels for individuals, 5,698 shekels for couples and between 9,117-12,108 shekels for couples with 2 to 4 children.
Yarona Shalom, director general of the NII, said the occupying regime has been battered for years by poverty and inequality, stressing that the Zionists have felt the squeeze of inflation and economic malaise since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
“To deal with the disparities in society, an increase in allowances is required on the one hand and on the other hand providing tools and assistance to families and individuals who are in the labor market but whose salary is low, with an emphasis on the periphery,” the NII’s director general said.
Zionist prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in on December 29, with his coalition cabinet saying it has a plan to address the rising living costs, including water, electricity and fuel.
The occupied territories were the scene of mass rallies against the Zionist prime minister in 2021 over Netanyahu’s graft charges and what was viewed as his mishandling of the pandemic.