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Israel Unfreezes NIS 200 Million for Palestinians
(Ha'aretz) - Responding to heavy U.S. pressure, Prime Minister Sharon and his top-level, ministerial political steering committee have decided to unconditionally hand over NIS 200 million in frozen Palestinian Authority assets to Palestinian Finance Minister Salim Fayad. Sharon had hesitated to transfer funds to the PA until an international mechanism was in place to guarantee that the money would not be used for terrorism. Israel will also forgive some NIS 140 million in PA debts for electricity and health services provided by Israel. The committee also decided to lift closures and open roads in Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jericho.