Israel delays payments for Palestinian civil servants: Fayyad

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) — Israel has delayed transferring tax funds used to pay Palestinian civil servants, Palestinian premier Salam Fayyad said on Monday, citing a reported link to his call for the EU not to boost ties with the Jewish state.

Fayyad said the funds should have been available on May 2. "The Israeli government said the transfer was finally made yesterday, but we have not received the money," he told journalists.

Asked whether he thought the delay was deliberate, Fayyad said: "Much has been said on this topic. Anonymous Israeli officials have linked it to the letter I sent to the European Union about the Israeli request for closer ties."

In his letter Fayyad called on the EU not to upgrade its relations with Israel until it adheres to its...