To meet Gaza mayor, pay a fee and hope for luck
Meeting fee causes public resentment in Gaza city
The mayor of Hamas-ruled Gaza city stirred controversy by introducing a fee on all public requests to meet him, Palestine Press News Agency (Palpress) reported on Thursday.
Gaza city citizens wishing to meet the mayor have to submit to the municipality a request form and pay a fee of $2.64 (10 Israeli shekel), Palpress reported, adding that the fee does not guarantee a meeting with the mayor.
The procedure has caused “deep resentment” among people in Gaza city, who see it as "unprecedented," according to the agency. Previous mayors would often leave their office doors open for ordinary Palestinians to walk in to complain about administrative problems and seek solutions.