Saudi Arabia, Qatar to Fund Palestinians (What will Bush do?) [View All]

[ProSense]

Saudi Arabia, Qatar to Fund Palestinians

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 4 minutes ago

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Israel froze the transfer of millions of dollars in tax rebates and customs payments to the Palestinian Authority, and Palestinian officials said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia and Qatar have promised $33 million in quick aid to ease a severe budget crisis.

Saudi Arabia promised $20 million and Qatar pledged $13 million to help the Palestinian Authority pay January salaries to 137,000 employees, a senior Palestinian official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not final.

Earlier, Israel said it was suspending the transfer of $45 million in tax and customs revenues it collected in January while Western nations weigh whether to continue supporting the Palestinian Authority after Hamas, with its history of suicide bombings and rejection of Israel, forms a government.

The Israeli action could cause unrest in the West Bank and Gaza.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060202/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_aid