Israel, Palestinian Authority dispute electric bill payments
Despite Israeli accusations, the Palestinian Authority says it remains committed to paying for the electricity it receives.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The financial crisis has weighed heavily on Palestinian citizens, who are finding it difficult to pay for essential services. The institutions that provide those services are suffering as well as they await payment.
Israel says the Palestinian government has stopped making payments to Israel Electric Corp. Ltd. (IEC), and Israel is threatening to deduct the money in question from tax clearance funds it collects for the Palestinian Authority, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, also known as Makan.
The PA denies it has stopped payment, though over the years it has accumulated substantial debt to the IEC. The figure has reached around two billion shekels ($554 million), according to Makan, though the PA says that amount is greatly exaggerated.
Israel also alleges the PA instructed local councils in the West Bank not to pay.
