Palestine urges international pressure on Israel to release withheld tax revenues

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Thursday called on donor countries and international partners to exert pressure on Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax revenues, and to provide urgent financial support to the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking at a donor meeting hosted at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels; with participation from more than 60 countries and international institutions, Mustafa underscored the critical need for Israel to release the funds it continues to withhold, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

He also urged partners to deliver immediate and direct budget support for a six-month period, in line with the emergency mechanism announced by Saudi Arabia, France, Norway and Spain. The mechanism includes guarantees for the issuance of bonds to Palestinian banks to ensure liquidity and improve public debt management.

Mustafa stressed the necessity of broadening donor participation in financing and supporting the framework for Gaza’s reconstruction.

The withheld tax revenues consist of taxes levied on goods imported into the Palestinian territories, whether from Israel or through border crossings controlled by Tel Aviv, and collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

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