West Bank and Gaza Strip to have different time zones as a result of Palestinian power struggle.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
For the first time, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will have different time zones.In the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, Palestinians will go back to standard time later this week after one month of daylight saving time, while those in the West Bank will continue to enjoy summertime, as will Israelis. This means there be a one-hour difference in time between the two Palestinian entities, with Gaza an hour earlier.
The difference over the time in the Palestinian territories is the result of the power struggle between Fatah and Hamas.Earlier this month, the Palestinian government in the West Bank decided to move to standard time for 30 days, during Ramadan. The Palestinians in the Gaza Strip accepted the change and also moved their clocks one hour back.The Hamas government said on Saturday that it won’t observe summertime after the Muslim feast of Id al-Fitr, which begins on Tuesday.But now the West Bank government has decided to go back to summertime. However, Hamas said it would not move the clock forward and has instructed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to remain on standard time after the feast.