The Israeli Treasury has discovered a new tax base–the ubiquitous falafel vendor whose income, reputedly, is seven times that of the average worker. Falafel is a concoction of fried chick peas stuffed into the flat Arab bread, Pita, a type of vegetarian hot dog.
According to tax experts, the net income of a falafel vendor in downtown Jerusalem in 1976 was IL 440,000. His business is conducted along the lines of classic entrepreneurship–buy cheap, sell dear. The tax people say one falafel sells for about IL 5. The vendor makes a profit of IL 2.9 on each sale, between 63-65 cents. Falafel is Israel’s most popular fast-food and an enterprising vendor can sell some 500 servings a day for a per diem profit of more than IL 1250, the tax experts say.
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