EU looks to Israel for help

11 May, 2006

The European Union said on Wednesday it would welcome any move by Israel to release tax revenues collected for the Palestinian Authority as part of a scheme to maintain essential services to Palestinians.
The EU's executive Commission said the aim of the "temporary international mechanism" agreed by the quartet was to create a channel for aid to maintain vital services such as education and health, without funds going through the Hamas-run Authority.
"We would certainly welcome a decision by Israel to resume the tax transfers and the customs duties," the Commission's foreign affairs spokeswoman Emma Udwin said.
"If the creation of this mechanism helps to make that possible for the government of Israel, that's also welcome."
Udwin was unable to give a start-date for the mechanism.

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