The ruling Palestinian Authority of the West Bank received $114 million from Israel. Norway reported this information on Thursday (February 29). Israel paid the money in a settlement over seized tax funds, the country said. The Palestinian Authority will receive more funding soon. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
On February 18, Norway announced that it had agreed to help transfer funds collected for the Palestinian Authority. It is critical funding for authorities dependent on Western funding.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Garh Storey said the money was essential to prevent the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. Ensuring critical services in Palestine, funding the salaries of teachers and health workers.
Without giving a specific date or figure, he said more money could be transferred in the coming days.
The Palestinian Authority exercises limited autonomy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel’s Ministry of Finance collects taxes from the Palestinians under the Interim Peace Agreement of the 1990s. It was later transferred to the Palestinian Authority on a monthly basis. But it was put on hold after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.
Israel collects taxes on goods imported into the Palestinian territories through Israeli territory. Israel deducts a 3 percent commission before transferring to the Palestinian Authority. Israel controls access to Palestinian territory except for the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. According to the agreement, Norway has a role as a mediator in this process.
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