Palestinian leader denounces Israel for withholding tax payment

Ramallah, Aug 10 (Prensa Latina) Israel's decision to withhold more than 30 million dollars in taxes in August, collected on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), is illegal, Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh denounced on Tuesday.

August 10, 2021
13:39

These monthly deductions are a flagrant violation of our rights and put us in a very difficult financial situation, Shtayyed said at a cabinet meeting.

The Palestinian leader demanded that Tel Aviv return all the fees owed, either from taxes or fees collected at border crossings.

The official Wafa news agency reported that the government was unable to pay salaries in July to 180,000 public employees due to lack of funds.

Israel announced early last month that it will withhold 597 million shekels (about 181 million dollars) in retaliation for the PNA’s policy of providing financial aid to Palestinians imprisoned, killed and wounded by the Israeli forces. The fee also includes their families.

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