 "Gaza Conflict: Norway to assist fund transfer to Palestinian Authority")
According to the Norwegian government on Sunday, Norway has decided to assist in facilitating the transfer of tax revenues that were frozen and designated for the Palestinian Authority (PA) and were collected by Israel. This will provide the Western-backed organization with much-needed funding.
In accordance with temporary peace agreements made in the 1990s, Israel’s finance ministry pays taxes to the PA each month on behalf of the Palestinian people.
“The temporary scheme will play a crucial role in preventing the Palestinian Authority from collapsing financially,” the Norwegian government said in a statement.
As per the agreement reached between Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Norway would act as a middleman in retaining the money that Israel has been withholding since October 7.
“The Palestinian Authority is then willing to accept the other funds,” the statement added.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the PA exercises little self-rule; its survival depends on its ability to access the money.
The United States and other Western nations want the PA to be involved in Gaza Strip management in the event that the war ends.
Israel announced on November 2 that it would move forward with transferring tax revenue to the PA in the West Bank, but that it would withhold cash intended for Gaza, which is governed by Hamas but where the PA assists in paying public sector salaries, medical expenses, and social assistance programs.
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View AllHowever, the PA stated on November 6 that it would accept no conditions that would keep it from paying its employees and that it demanded the money in full. About 30% of its money is thought to be allocated to Gaza.
Israeli officials said on January 21 that the Israeli cabinet had authorized a plan to hold tax monies intended for the Gaza Strip in Norway rather than having them transferred to the PA.
(With agency inputs)
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