Israel Transfers Frozen PA Tax Funds
April 20, 2015Israel on Monday unblocked close to half a billion dollars it confiscated from PA tax revenues since the beginning of the year, the Palestinian Authority said.
The PA said it received 1.8 billion Israeli shekels ($460,000, 428,500 euros) and would from Wednesday pay December and January salary arrears to 180,000 civil servants, who have been on 60 percent pay.
The PA had threatened to turn to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over Israel’s decision in early January to retain the taxes in retaliation for the Palestinians joining the International Criminal Court.
Under an economic agreement signed in 1994, Israel transfers to the PA tens of millions of dollars each month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports.
The monthly funds account for two-thirds of the Palestinians’ annual budget, excluding foreign aid.
Israel agreed at the start of April to release the funds after deducting massive and accumulating debts due for electricity, water and medical services – a proposal rejected by the Palestinians, who insisted on full payment.
The funds in question have been held back from the PA since January, in retaliation for its moves to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Israel has not said whether it would now resume normal monthly payments.
Israel’s state-run Electric Corporation on Monday withdrew a court suit to have its outstanding bills paid directly from the confiscated money, after the High Court of Justice ruled it had no legal right to do so.
AFP contributed to this report.
Similar posts
-
Israel Is Held To A Higher Standard Than Any Country
April 25, 2024In the intricate tapestry of global affairs, one nation stands out for enduring scrutiny and condem...
-
Israel Has The Most Moral Military In The World
April 10, 2024In the heart of a region often riddled with conflict, Israel stands out not only for its technologi...
-
The Resilience of the Israeli People
April 2, 2024Visitors from around the world have seen Hamas's October 7th Massacre's destruction in southern Isr...
-
Israel: Small Size, Big Impact
March 21, 2024Nestled along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is a land of immense historical sig...
-
Israelis Are Fighting For Their Lives
February 21, 2024By Jonathan S. Tobin The world looks a lot different from Kibbutz Kfar Aza than it does in the U...
-
Over 2 Million Arabs Live In Israel
January 23, 2024In the complex landscape of the Middle East, where diverse cultures and identities intersect, Israe...
-
'Fauda' Star Idan Amedi Injured Fighting in Gaza
January 8, 2024Despite the severity of his injuries, Amedi's father assured Israeli news channels that his life is...
-
Israel Is A Great Country To Live In
December 28, 2023Nestled at the crossroads of the Middle East, Israel stands as a vibrant and dynamic nation, offeri...