|
Trending Topics
|
Palestinian Leader Cuts Ties with Israel. His Own People Feel the Pinch
(Washington Post) Steve Hendrix and Sufian Taha - Earlier this month, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared an end to long-standing coordination between his governing Palestinian Authority and Israeli officials. Palestinian officials at the main offices that handle travel requests stopped processing applications for hospital visits in Israel. Emergency transport by ambulance is also affected. Outside the Palestinian civil affairs office, many complained that making it harder for them to see doctors or visit family was not a welcome change. The West Bank has enjoyed a decade of relative stability, in part thanks to employment, trade and security ties with Israel. Salaries paid to Palestinian workers in Israel, topping $280 million a month, make up one of the West Bank's largest sources of income.