January 14, 2013

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called on Arab countries to pay their aid pledges, in order to prevent the end of the PA.

Fayyad made the call during a meeting Sunday with Arab League members in Cairo, The Associated Press reported.

Arab countries pledged $100 million last year to the Palestinian Authority, but most have not followed through on their commitments.

The Palestinian Authority has been unable to pay the salaries of about 150,000 government employees, Fayyad said, according to AP.

“The absence of these funds threatens the Palestinian Authority’s ability to carry out its obligations to the Palestinian people, including helping them stay in the territory,” Fayyad said.

Israel stopped the transfer of about $100 million a month in taxes that it collects for the P.A. Israel used the funds to pay down the Palestinian debt to the Israel Electric Company.

The Arab League demanded in a statement issued Sunday that Israel release the funds to the P.A.
 

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