The European Union (EU) has announced a pound 43 million contribution to assist the Palestinian Authority in paying salaries and pensions for its employees and retirees in the West Bank.

According to the EU statement, this financial aid is intended to help the Palestinian Authority meet part of its obligations to its civil servants amid severe financial difficulties caused by a prolonged economic crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The situation is exacerbated by irregular Palestinian tax clearance payments and ongoing deductions by Israel.

This support targets civil service employees, primarily in the health and education sectors in the West Bank, as well as retirees.

The EU’s Deputy Representative Maria Velasco called on “Israel to take immediate steps to improve the deteriorating economic situation in the occupied territories, such as removing restrictions on Palestinian labour access.”

Source : Emirates News Agency