Palestinian Power Company asks Israel’s Supreme Court to End Electricity Cut-Backs

The Palestinian electric company is asking Israel’s Supreme Court to halt a series of power reductions initiated by the Israeli power company that sells electricity to the Palestinians because of the back payments due. The Israel Electric Corporation, which provides power to the Palestinian East Jerusalem Electric Company, has caused four-hour breaks in electrical service in Jericho, Bethlehem and Hebron because of outstanding payments that the Israeli company says has reached the equivalent of $460 million. The Israeli supplier says it decides where to cut back on a daily basis and lets the Palestinian authorities know. The Palestinians claim the action amounts to illegal collective punishment, a charge that the army officer who heads the office that administers the post-1967 territories warned about two years ago.