Palestinian Authority Sues In Israeli Court For Release Of Tax Money

The Palestinian Authority has filed a petition in the Tel Aviv District Court to have Israel release tax money it collects on behalf of the P.A., but has withheld since a 1993 terrorist attack. According to Globes financial newspaper, the Palestinians are claiming that Israel’s failure to turn over some $200 million has "disrupted the Palestinian economy, severely harms the PA’s budget, delays the timely payment of salaries, causes the PA to be in breach of obligations towards third parties, and harms the PA’s reputation and image both towards its own people and other countries and foreign institutions." The system of Israel collecting certain taxes and tariffs on behalf of the P.A. was part of the Olso Accords. The attachment order preventing the transfer of funds was part of a suit filed against the P.A. after the 1993 terrorist bombing.