The European Union has allocated €43 million to assist the Palestinian Authority with paying salaries and pensions for its employees and retired civil servants in the West Bank.
In a statement released on Friday, the EU detailed that this funding aims to help the Palestinian Authority meet some of its financial obligations to its civilian staff.
The Authority continues to face severe financial challenges due to the prolonged economic crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, exacerbated by irregular payments of Palestinian clearance taxes and ongoing deductions by Israel.
The €43 million contribution comes as part of the EU’s first tranche of short-term emergency financial support for the Palestinian Authority. The funding specifically targets civil service employees, primarily in the social sectors of health and education in the West Bank, as well as retirees.
The short-term emergency support is designed to address the Authority’s most pressing financial needs and support its essential and credible reform agenda.
EU Deputy Representative Maria Velasco stated, “The European Union continues to make substantial contributions to the Palestinian Authority’s budget during critical times to help pay government employees and retirees.
We support Palestinian teachers, health workers, and social workers who are crucial to education, health, and social services.”
Velasco added, “Our contributions to government salaries and pensions reaffirm our ongoing support for Palestinian state-building efforts.
The EU continues to call on Israel to halt the deductions from Palestinian tax revenues and to adhere to its obligations under existing agreements. Additionally, Israel must take immediate steps to improve the deteriorating economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, such as lifting restrictions on Palestinian workers’ access.
The EU and its member states remain the most reliable and committed partners for the Palestinian people.”
