Jerusalem Hits Back At Claims It Is Causing Collapse Of Palestinian Authority [View all]

Source: Jerusalem Post

The officials were responding to consistent claims from top US and EU officials that if the money is not transferred soon the PA may fall apart or stop security cooperation with Israel.

By HERB KEINON \
02/23/2015 01:00

Assertions that the Palestinian Authority is on the verge of collapse because Israel is withholding the monthly tax revenue it collects and transfers to Ramallah are exaggerated, Israeli officials said Sunday.

The officials were responding to consistent claims from top US and EU officials, including US Secretary of State John Kerry, that if the money is not transferred soon the PA may fall apart or stop its security cooperation with Israel.

Kerry, during a press conference Saturday in London, said he discussed with his British counterpart Philip Hammond “concerns that we share about the continued viability of the Palestinian Authority if they do not receive funds soon.”

“If the Palestinian Authority ceases or were to cease, security cooperation – or even decide to disband as a result of their economic predicament, and that could happen in the near future if they don’t receive additional revenues – then we would be faced with yet another crisis that could also greatly impact the security of both Palestinians and Israelis,” he said. “And that would have the potential of serious ripple effects elsewhere in the region.”


Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Jerusalem-hits-back-at-claims-it-is-causing-collapse-of-Palestinian-Authority-391857