Qatar accuses PA of hindering its projects in Gaza

Qatari Ambassador Mohammed Al-Emadi accused the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank of “hindering” Qatar’s projects in the fields of energy and resolving the electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip.

In a press statement published by Israeli news site Walla yesterday, Al-Emadi said: “Israel is helping implement Qatar’s energy projects, but there are other parties hindering the projects, especially the PA.”

Al-Emadi was scheduled to meet with PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah yesterday, in order to coordinate issues relating to the energy issue and to resolve the electricity crisis in Gaza.

Analysis: Is the PLO still the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinians?

“We submitted proposals to establish a non-political technical committee responsible for resolving the electricity problem in Gaza, made up of experts from Gaza, Qatar, the UN and UNRWA to address the electricity issues,” said Al-Emadi.

“This is a good thing for the Israelis and Palestinians. Israel is helping in this regard, but there are other parties hindering it, mainly the PA.”

He noted that the project he is working to implement consists of three phases, first, paying the price of fuel as well as the tax which is in disputed by the PA, Hamas and Israel. The second phase is building a 161 kilovolt line from Israel to Gaza, and the third phase is constructing a gas pipeline to run the power plant.

Also read: NGO reports that Gaza’s infrastructure on verge of collapse, time is running out

The Qatari official also revealed proposals presented by Qatar to Tel Aviv that include building an industrial zone on the Gaza border in an attempt to end the issue of unemployment. He added that Qatar also presented Israel with proposals for building a seaport and airport in the besieged Strip.