Emergency Meeting of the Fuel and Gas Unions in the West Bank to Discuss the Cash Deposit Crisis

SadaNews - The fuel and gas unions in the West Bank held an emergency meeting on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the headquarters of the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the presence of union councils and the general authority of fuel and gas stations and companies from various governorates in the West Bank. The meeting came against the backdrop of a crisis regarding cash deposits and high banking commissions, addressing the main issues concerning the sector. The attendees warned of the repercussions of recent banking decisions that are threatening the stability and continuity of the sector's operations. The participants noted that some banks' refusal to accept cash deposits and the return of checks issued by station customers have led to the accumulation of cash amounts at the stations, which will halt the operations... They emphasized that the disruption of this sector will create paralysis in various aspects of life as it is the operational sector for all sectors. The attendees affirmed that these cash amounts do not belong to the stations; rather, they are deposited in favor of the Ministry of Finance's treasury as they represent the stations' purchases from the General Petroleum Authority. Thus, they called on the Palestinian Monetary Authority, the government, and relevant entities for urgent intervention to lift the cash deposit ceiling for the stations and to stop the arbitrary measures by the banks. In an organizational step, an emergency committee was formed from various governorates and relevant unions to manage the crisis and propose escalating union steps in case this issue is not resolved, ensuring the protection of the sector and the continuity of its operations without interruption. The statement concluded with an urgent plea from the two unions to His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, Vice President Mr. Hussein Sheikh, Prime Minister Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, the Council of Ministers, especially the Minister of Finance, and the head of the Monetary Authority responsible for organizing the banking system, and all relevant official entities to urgently address the crisis that is escalating by the moment and to take immediate action to save the fuel and gas sector, which is a vital artery for the national economy and serves citizens on a daily basis, warning of the impact of the crisis on the stations, the treasury, and the citizens if the current situation continues without fundamental solutions.