Dozens of Palestinians demonstrated in the West Bank on Saturday for the first time against Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's government.

The protest came after the government proposed high income tax rates and an early retirement law in a bid to reduce a financial crisis engulfing the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

The People Party, one faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), staged the demonstration in Nablus city, where the protestors carried mockery posters against Fayyad.

"We want the government to accelerate reform and reduce tasks," said Abu El-Jeesh, an official of the People Party, "Otherwise, we call for firing it and forming a new government that meets the Palestinian people's needs."

Fayyad has argued that the amendments are applicable to those who earn high income.

About 26,000 employees would be affected by the early retirement law.

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