Israel Matzav

Bwahahaha: 'Palestinian Authority' can't pay salaries

Brotha can you spare a dime?

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Monday sent out an urgent appeal for help saying he may not be able to pay for salaries for about 130,000 public employees or anything else if Israel does not release about $100 million in funds collected over the last month on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

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At a news conference in Ramallah, Fayyad said that unless Israel paid the money it owes, he, in his capacity as finance minister, would not be able to pay the April salaries.

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This time, the Palestinian Authority has not yet paid April salaries and may not be able to do that any time soon because Israel has decided to withhold the monthly payment.

“Israel has no right to withhold this money,” Fayyad said. “This is Palestinian money and it is not a grant or charity from Israel.”

Fayyad appealed for help from the donor countries to get him out of his predicament, first, by financial support, and, second, by pressuring Israel to release the funds. It is unclear whether Israel will be swayed.

Three words Salam: Actions have consequences.

Fatah and Hamas are scheduled to sign their agreement on Wednesday in Cairo.

By the way, note the subtlety with which the LA Times glosses over Hamas' position on Israel:

Israel said Sunday that it has decided not to pay the funds after the Fatah faction, which controls the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, took steps to reconcile difference with Hamas, the Islamist movement which has ruled Gaza Strip since June 2007 and which does not formally recognize Israel.

As if they are in any way not committed to destroying Israel (and for that matter, so is Fatah).

Labels: Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, Palestinian tax transfers

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:41 PM