The World Bank is blaming Israel for the ailing PA (Palestinian Authority) economy, citing IDF checkpoints, delays in transferring tax revenue funds and preventing Gazan exports from reaching the world marketplace as major causes. The report refers to PA autonomous areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron as well as Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Ironically, as the current Israeli administration boasts its accomplishments, which many residents of Yehuda and Shomron feel have compromised their security; such as the removal of most checkpoints, the World Bank blames Israel for PA fiscal irresponsibility. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is his previous term compromised the lives of residents of Yehuda and Shomron significantly towards easing restrictions on PA residents, all for naught.

The bank report cites that while areas “C”, the areas of Yehuda and Shomron in which the Israeli live represent the majority of Yehuda and Shomron, these areas are off access to PA residents and this results in an annual loss of revenue amounting to €2.5 billion.

Interestingly, while the international community and donor nations have poured countless billions of dollars into the PA economy since the signing of the Oslo Agreement in 1993, there is no mention of the blatant and widespread PA government corruption and widespread fiscal irresponsibility, preferring to blame the PA’s woes on Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)