 The new Palestinian prime minister has charged the US with blocking money to pay 165,000 of its public sector workers.
| My heart bleeds. Or maybe it's the chili. |
Ismail Haniyeh told a news conference on Wednesday that the Hamas-led government had raised money, but so far has not found a way to get it into the Palestinian areas. "We have given alternative suggestions and plans, including what has been reported about sending the lists of the employees to the Arab League to have a direct transfer to their accounts," Haniyeh said, but "we even faced American pressure to prevent the direct transfer".
Haniyeh appealed to Arab leaders to face up to the Americans "to stop the siege imposed on the Palestinian people and to stop the political blackmail against the government". He also called on Palestinian bankers to "show the necessary patriotism". Banks have been hesitant to handle funds for the Palestinian Authority for fear of US sanctions. |