Israel is coming under intense international pressure to save the Palestinian Authority from economic collapse by releasing tax revenues cut off after the start of violent clashes last September. The United States, Norway and the European Union have urged Israel to resume the payments, saying the economic situation in the Palestinian areas was rapidly deteriorating, which could lead to further troubles.
Life is very difficult for people.
Under peace accords signed since 1993, Israel is required to reimburse to the Palestinian Authority revenues collected through duties on petrol and value added tax. Israel has been refusing to release the funds since the Palestinian uprising began. Mr Boucher was speaking after a meeting between US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Norway's Foreign Minister, Thorbjoern Jagland. Mr Boucher said Palestinian health workers, police and other key people were not being paid. They are nearly collapsing.