Israel, PA discuss increasing economic ties

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on 1 June 2015 [Prime Minister Office/Apaimages]

Israeli Finance Minister, Moshe Kahlon, and Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah, met in occupied Ramallah yesterday to discuss increasing and deepening economic ties.

The rare meeting comes after an Israeli cabinet decision to improve economic ties with the PA and relieve a series of restrictions on Palestinians last month.

The easing of restrictions that were discussed and agreed upon include expanding operating hours at key crossings which Palestinians use, allowing the Allenby crossing to Jordan to operate 24 hours a day, and having hours extended and infrastructure built up at various other crossings throughout the occupied West Bank.

Among other benefits that come with the plan are an increase in building permits for Palestinians and the approval of the development of industrial zones near the city of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank.

The cabinet decision and yesterday’s meeting are thought to be a result of US President Donald Trump’s push for peace between the two sides after his visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank last week.

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