RAMALLAH, West Bank: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he will not accept a monthly tax transfer from Israel if it carries out its decision to deduct amounts the Palestinians pay to the families of prisoners and people killed in fighting with Israel.
Abbas on Wednesday accused Israel of trying to put political pressure on him and violating longstanding economic agreements.
He said it would be the “final nail in the coffin” of those agreements and said he would not accept the funds if even “one penny” is deducted.
The monthly tax transfers cover about two-thirds of the Palestinian budget.
Without those funds, Abbas’ autonomy government will fall into a crisis and not be able to pay full salaries to its tens of thousands of employees.
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Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will refuse Israeli tax transfers
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will refuse Israeli tax transfers
Putin praises Sharaa for momentum in restoring Syria’s integrity
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Wednesday for increasing momentum toward restoring the territorial integrity of the Arab Republic after Syrian troops took swathes of territory from Kurdish forces.
“I want to congratulate you on the fact that the process of restoring the territorial integrity of Syria is gaining momentum,” Putin told Al-Sharaa in the Kremlin.
Al-Sharaa, who is making his second visit to Russia since ousting long-time Moscow ally Bashar Assad in 2024, thanked Putin for help in stabilising the situation in Syria and the wider region.
“I want to congratulate you on the fact that the process of restoring the territorial integrity of Syria is gaining momentum,” Putin told Al-Sharaa in the Kremlin.
Al-Sharaa, who is making his second visit to Russia since ousting long-time Moscow ally Bashar Assad in 2024, thanked Putin for help in stabilising the situation in Syria and the wider region.
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