RAMALLAH, Friday, July 5, 2024 (WAFA) - The Nordic countries expressed grave concern over the withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues which is exacerbating the strenuous fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority.
Like the G7 in its recent Apulia summit Leaders’ Communiqué, the Nordic countries called on Israel to urgently release the withheld clearance revenues as well as to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks are maintained.
“Any action weakening the Palestinian Authority or worsening the economic situation in the West Bank must be avoided,” they said in a statement.
“We emphasize that maintaining stability in the West Bank and preparing for one legitimate Palestinian government for the West Bank and Gaza, is critical for regional security and in the interests of Palestinians as well as Israelis.“
“The Nordic countries are committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority and the necessary reforms that it must undertake.”
The strengthening of legitimate Palestinian institutions is indispensable to a negotiated two-state solution, which remains the only viable basis for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said the statement.
The signatories of the statement are Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Denmark. Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finland. Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iceland. Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway. Tobias Billström, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, stressed the government's pursuit of financial stability in coordination with various Arab and international parties, noting that due to tireless government efforts and international pressure, the Israeli Ministry of Finance transferred 435 million Shekels from the withheld funds for April and May.
The Prime Minister noted during the weekly cabinet meeting that Israel has doubled its deductions from clearance funds since the start of its aggression on Gaza, reaching an average of 480 million shekels per month.
T.R.
