US Opposes ’Israel’s’ Freeze on Palestinian Money

Local Editor

The US said Monday it opposes a move by "Israel" to freeze the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority in retaliation for its bid to join the International Criminal Court.

"This step is one that raises tensions as others do," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

"Israel" imposed the freeze in response to a bid by the Palestinian Authority to join the International Criminal Court in the Hague, and threatened further retaliatory action.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend and a US team has been in touch with Palestinian leaders. "What we are trying to avoid here is a back and forth tit-for-tat," Psaki said.

The latest freeze involves half a billion "Israeli" shekels in tax revenue, or about $127 million.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team