UAE | General
Gaza shops issue explosive adverts to draw buyers
Palestinian merchants hawking their wares to an increasingly cash-strapped population are turning to the imagery of warfare to rope in purchasers.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 July 17, 2001
Palestinian merchants hawking their wares to an increasingly cash-strapped population are turning to the imagery of warfare to rope in purchasers.
"Bombardment of discounts!" blares a banner drawn by shopowner Rami Abu Kweik to attract customers in the Gaza Strip, where the economy has been battered by nearly 10 months of violence and an Israeli military blockade.
The banner's graphics depict a missile smashing into a wall labeled "prices." Nearly a dozen shops and businesses in Gaza City have adopted similar tactics, advertising as "urgent news!" price reductions and special offers.
The language of fighting has seeped into the everyday vocabulary of Palestinians and Israelis through more than 50 years of conflict and three decades of Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza.
But the trend has taken off with a Palestinian revolt which erupted in late September after peace talks stalled. "The banner reflects the bad economic situation which has forced us to slash prices by half," clothing store owner Abu Kweik told Reuters.
One woman customer said the fierce advertising slogan "is a real bombardment, but a lovely one," as she opted to take the two-for-one deal. Palestinian friends quarrelling are now likely to mend ties by calling for a "ceasefire," a broad reference to a U.S.-brokered truce between the sides which has failed to take hold since it was agreed in mid-June.
If a comrade is asked about his health, he will likely respond "Boom!" to say all is fine. But if his hair is unruly, he may be told that his head "went out to demonstrate," in reference to Palestinian stone-throwing protests against Israeli troops.
At least 480 Palestinians, 126 Israelis and 13 Israeli Arabs have been killed since the Palestinian uprising erupted. Israel imposed a blockade on Palestinian cities and villages when as the uprising began, barring tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from jobs in Israel and restricting the movement of goods at trade crossings.
Israel says the measures seek to prevent Palestinian militants from waging attacks, but Palestinians say the economically crippling blockades amount to collective punishment.
Palestinian unemployment has surged to nearly 40 per cent from 10 per cent before the revolt began, while the number of people living below the poverty line has grown to nearly two-thirds of the population in the same period.
"The economic situation is really bad and we hope that we will not come to the point where we would be forced to put out a banner saying Collapse!" said Ali Salem, another store owner.
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Tracks to be laid on recycled material
- Golden Hour crucial to a patient's survival
- Opening show worthy of UAE
- Sun is shining on prospects for solar power
- Artists focus on craftsmanship
- World leaders committed to supporting civilians
- Schools open a new page in teaching English
- Special parking to help disabled tourists
- Helping hand surgeons have long sought
- Blind woman lights up corridors of power
- In Mind
- At times, I think of committing suicide
- Designer of a creative haven
- Fund to help Dubai taxi drivers' families
- New life-saving fleet of vehicles
Community Reports
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
-
Leukaemia boy granted wish to meet footballer
Emirati meets hero Al Qahtani, Al Ain team
