Palestinian Authority agrees to receive taxes collected by Israel - report

Hussein al-Sheikh, head of the PA's General Authority of Civilian Affairs, said he met on Thursday with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to resolve the crisis.

OCTOBER 4, 2019 19:18

Palestinian militants of the National Resistance brigades, the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip October 28, 2016. (photo credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS) — Palestinian militants of the National Resistance brigades, the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip October 28, 2016.

(photo credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS)

The Palestinian Authority confirmed on Friday that it has agreed to receive tax revenues from Israel, signalling an end to the crisis surrounding payments to families of Palestinian security prisoners and "martyrs."

Hussein al-Sheikh, head of the PA's General Authority of Civilian Affairs, said he met on Thursday with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to resolve the crisis, which erupted earlier this year when Israel began deducting the payments the PA makes to the families from the monthly tax revenues it transfers to the Palestinians.

"I have met with the #Israeli Minister of #Finance and have discussed all outstanding issues. We have reached an agreement to activate joint committees to examine all issues which will commence their duties next Sunday," he tweeted.

On Thursday 3rd of October 2019, I have met with the #Israeli Minister of #Finance and have discussed all outstanding issues. We have reached an agreement to activate joint committees to examine all issues which will commence their duties next Sunday. ( 1/2)
— حسين الشيخ Hussein Al Sheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) October 4, 2019

The PA had refused to receive the funds as long as Israel was continuing to deduct the payments from the tax revenues.

Sheikh said that during his meeting with Kahlon, it was agreed that Israel would transfer some of the funds that the PA previously refused to receive.

Despite the agreement, the PA official said, the dispute over the money deducted by Israel remains unresolved. "We continue to insist that Israel pay the full amount, without any deductions," he added.

The agreement was also on transferring a payment from the #PA’s financial dues. The dispute remaines over the salaries of the families of #prisoners and #martyrs. We are determined to pay their dues at all costs. (2/2)
— حسين الشيخ Hussein Al Sheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) October 4, 2019