[Monday December 23, 2013] Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has formally thanked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for granting the Palestinian Authority 50 Million USD to help it pay late salaries and perform its duties.Abbas sent a letter to the President of the UAE. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, thanking him and his country for their ongoing support to the Palestinian people and its struggle against the Israeli occupation.
Abbas added that “this generous donation would also assist the P.A. in paying some of its debts to local banks and private sector organizations”.
Earlier this month Palestinian Prime Minister in the occupied West Bank, Rami Hamdallah, stated that Qatar has promised to transfer $150 million to the Palestinian Authority (P.A.) to help ease its sharp financial crises.
Hamdallah said that the P.A. needs at least $150 million by the end of this year, in order to provide and maintain basic services.
Israel controls all border terminals leading to the West Bank and, therefore, all exports or imports must go through Israeli-controlled border terminals. Palestinians leaving or entering the country also end up paying fees to the Israeli Border Authority.
Tel Aviv is supposed to transfer approximately 500 million New Israeli Shekels per month, for taxes it collects on border terminals, but has repeatedly withheld the transfer, in an attempt to pressure the P.A. into halting all international political moves, including the submission of applications to join Unites Nations institutions.
It also deducts 3% each month, in commissions for collecting the money, as it refuses to grant the P.A. access or control over border terminals.
The U.S. has repeatedly withheld financial support to the P.A. in the West Bank, in pressuring the organization into continuing direct diplomatic talks with Tel Aviv, despite the escalating Israeli violations and settlement activities.
