The European Union (EU) has condemned Israel’s recent decision to withhold a large sum of the Palestinian tax revenues.
Speaking to Voice of Palestine radio station, EU communication officer Shadi Othman slammed the Israeli government’s decision to deduct $138 million from the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The EU, Othman said, stressed the need for Israel to honor the agreements it had signed with the Palestinian side and refrain from taking any unilateral action on the Palestinian tax revenues, which should be transferred in full to the PA.
Othman also noted that the EU maintained contact with its member states, urging them to put pressure on Israel to prevent it from carrying out its decision.
He also emphasized the EU’s ongoing support of the Palestinian budget and alluded to the EU’s recent decision to increase support by over 70 percent to UNRWA following the US administration’s decision to halt funding to the UN agency.
Under the interim Paris Economic Protocol of 1994, Israel collects customs duties on goods imported by Palestinians and destined to the occupied Palestinian territories (the West Bank and Gaza) through its ports.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=4574
