This is the first time the Ministry of Finance has withheld tax payments to the Palestinian Authority for unpaid sewage treatment bills.
Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu made his first operational decision yesterday since taking office. Sources inform “Globes” that he signed an order withholding NIS 37 million from tax payments to the Palestinian Authority (PA) for unpaid sewage treatment bills. The Ministry of National Infrastructures recommended the measure.
This is the first time the Ministry of Finance has withheld money from the PA for this purpose. It is also the first time that the ministry withheld PA funds for bills not owed to a government company. The sewage treatment bills are owed to local authorities and local authority companies.
Following is a breakdown of the money withheld:
- NIS 10 million was withheld for the PA’s debt to Hagihon - Jerusalem Water and Sewage Industries for treating sewage from Beit Jala, Beit Sahur and Bir Naballah.
- NIS 17 million was withheld for the PA’s debt to the Emek Hefer Regional Council for treating sewage from Nablus.
- NIS 10 million was withheld for the PA’s debt to the South Sharon Regional Council for treating sewage from Tul Karm.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on March 10, 2003