If Israel plans to give the Palestinian Authority the tax money it is owed, then it must be under the conditions the PA sets. But, if Israel insists on transferring the funds under the conditions of its own government, it can keep the money, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said. Speaking at a meeting of the Central Council of the Fatah party, Abbas said that Israel had agreed to release the funds that it froze four months ago, after the PA applied to join the International Criminal Court, but was planning to deduct money the PA owes Israeli suppliers of electricity, water, and other utilities and products. Abbas made the claim based on news reports that said Israel was planning to make such deductions. “Israel intends to make these deductions without Palestinian supervision, even though it is Palestinian money. This is unacceptable, and we will refuse to accept the money under these circumstances.” The PA will fight to get its money, if necessary taking the case to the ICC, which the PA became a member of this week, Abbas added. On Saturday, Abbas said he doubted Israel's willingness to unblock hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid taxes - a day after Israel promised to do so. "They've announced they will release the money, but so far they have unlocked nothing," Abbas told an Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. “Maybe they will impose a thousand and one conditions before doing so and guaranteeing not to freeze the funds again."
