As was reported this week, Israel cut power to a number of PA areas including Yericho and Hebron. Israel Electric Company (IEC) officials insist they can no longer carry the growing PA debt, which exceeds NIS 700 million.

Now, amid a promise to pay $500,000, the IEC has stop power outages to the PA. It is reported that Arab Bloc MK Ayman Ode assisted in negotiating a deal between PA officials and the IEC.

In what appears to be a recurring pattern, the IEC has to carry the debt until it decides to implement power outages to PA areas. This prompts Israeli government intervention, which is followed by some form of payment.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)