Israel withholds $120mn in Palestinian tax funds as revenge for UN vote
Israel has canceled the transfer of US$120 million collected in taxes on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in response to Palestine’s UN-bid, which saw it granted non-member observer status, thus implicitly recognizing the state.
The halted money, collected in taxes for the month of November, was scheduled to be passed on to the Palestinian Authority (PA), which constitutes a large percentage of the Palestinian budget, including paying the salaries of PA officials, Israeli media reported.
Now, instead, the money will be used to pay for the PA's debt to Israel's Electric Company.
The decision was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and announced during a weekly government cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
“This is a Palestinian provocation and an attempt to advance their state without recognizing Israel,” Steinitz stated.
Israel’s change of mind comes as a response to UN’s decision last week. The Palestinian bid was upheld with 138 votes in favor, nine against and 41 abstentions.
The new status allows the PA access to numerous UN agencies, and to the International Criminal Court at The Hague.
Also, following the status upgrade, Israel announced it will be building 3,000 new settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Phi Beta Iota: It is time for all grants to Israel from the US Treasury to be subject to recurring national ballot initiatives, with line item distinction.
