Qatar lending Palestinians $100m to pay salaries

Source: Reuters/ Haaretz

Loan follows Israeli decision to freeze tax payments to protest Palestinian move to join International Criminal Court.

The Palestinian Authority said Wednesday it had received a $100 million loan from Qatar to help pay civil servants salaries and alleviate an economic crisis triggered by a row with Israel over taxes.

PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who is visiting the Gulf state, issued a statement thanking Qatar for the loan. There was no immediate confirmation or comment from Qatari officials.

Israel collects taxes on behalf of the Palestinian Authority but suspended payments of some $130 million a month in January to protest at moves by the Palestinians to join the International Criminal Court.

Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.651102