An official of the Ministry of Finance of the Palestinian Authority told the al-Ayam newspaper that the direct and indirect cost to the PA economy from the past year of Arafat?s terrorist offensive totals $7 billion. Industry, tourism and agriculture, the official said, have suffered the greatest losses. Non-Islamic, foreign donations, with the exception of the European Union?s monthly $9 million, have all but ceased. However, the Islamic Bank, which operates a trust fund of Arab contributions for the PA, has transferred about $45,000 a month, according to al-Ayam.
Israel, for its part, has ceased transferring tax rebates, which were granted pursuant to previous agreements between the PA and Israel. The $800 million that is being withheld, al-Ayam said, may be used by the Israeli government to compensate Israeli victims of the PLO terrorist war.
Israel, for its part, has ceased transferring tax rebates, which were granted pursuant to previous agreements between the PA and Israel. The $800 million that is being withheld, al-Ayam said, may be used by the Israeli government to compensate Israeli victims of the PLO terrorist war.