Israeli authorities withholding $7bn in Palestinian tax funds, says official
Palestinian official Hussein Al-Sheikh confirms November elections will proceed, stressing they cannot take place without Gaza and Jerusalem's participation.
Key Takeaways
AIPalestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh has reaffirmed the leadership’s commitment to holding legislative elections in November, insisting there will be no retreat from the planned vote and emphasizing that the process cannot proceed without the participation of both Gaza and Jerusalem.
Al-Sheikh said the Palestinian side has reached out to both Israeli authorities and the United States to facilitate the elections, but has yet to receive a response from either. He stressed that including Gaza and Jerusalem is a prerequisite for holding the elections.
Regarding Hamas, Al-Sheikh announced that the movement will not participate in the elections under its own name and will not be part of the government, reaffirming that the legislative process scheduled for November will go ahead as planned.
He also clarified that the upcoming elections are not intended as a replacement for the administration of Nickolay Mladenov in Gaza, referring to arrangements for managing the territory.
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On the economic front, Al-Sheikh said the Palestinian Authority is facing a "severe financial crisis" due to Israel’s ongoing withholding of Palestinian tax revenues.
He noted that Israeli authorities are currently holding $7 billion in Palestinian tax funds.