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palestina libera · Beiträge: 1665

PA to pause ICC steps in exchange for tax revenues

When the Palestinian Authority joins the International Criminal Court on April 1, it will hold off on steps to against Israel regarding settlement construction, Israeli media reported Sunday.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported that the decision follows Israel's release of seized tax revenues.

According to the report, the ICC prosecutor has opened a preliminary examination on alleged Israeli war crimes during its devastating summer 2014 assault on Gaza.

Israel's prime minister's office announced Friday that Israel would release the funds it collects on the PA's behalf and withheld as punishment for its move to join the ICC.

http://www.maannews.com/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=760172

US State Department Spokesperson Jeff Rathki said: “We welcome the decision of the prime minister of Israel to release withheld tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority. This is an important step that will benefit the Palestinian people and help stabilize the situation in the West Bank.”

EU High Representative and Vice President Federica Mogherini also welcomed Israel’s decision and said “The EU has been pressing for this step, without which the Palestinian institutions' capacity to govern risked being fatally undermined.”

http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/news/617-israel-releases-palestinian-taxes