PA calls on EU to intervene after Israel withholds taxes

The Palestinian Authority yesterday called on the European Union to assume its responsibility and intervene following Israel’s decision to deduct $138 million of tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki told reporters in Ramallah that he had met with European diplomats to officially submit the request.

Al-Maliki said the EU’s intervention is necessary to avoid the serious political and financial repercussions of the Israeli decision, adding that the EU is one of the guarantors of the bilateral agreements signed between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

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The Palestinian minister added that the PA is considering filing lawsuits against Israel in international courts “for violating international conventions” following its decision to deduct the Palestinian tax revenues.

On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet decided to implement a decision passed last year to deduct nearly $138 million from Palestinians’ tax revenues. Israel says this is the amount the PA pays to the families of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails, ex-detainees as well as the families of Palestinians killed by Israel.