Palestinians protest for lower food prices

Hundreds of Palestinians protested in Ramallah Tuesday in the sixth day of demonstrations prompted by economic hardships on the West Bank, officials say. Food prices have rapidly risen in the area while government workers have not received their full salaries, Haaretz reported. Palestinian Authority ministers met to find ways to soften the economic problems as protesters gathered in front of the office of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to demand the lowering of prices. Afterward, the protesters marched to the center of Ramallah, where they pledged to picket the Cabinet meeting. Public transportation workers went on strike Monday, as did health services workers. Government workers received only half their pay in August. On Monday, some of the protests turned violent, with protesters smashing windows and attempted to storm a municipal building. In Hebron, police used tear gas to quell protests.