Story perspectives

Trump Urges Israel to Unfreeze $740 M PA Taxes, Salaries Plummet

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to release the Palestinian Authority’s withheld tax revenues.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed Israel has frozen all PA tax transfers for about a year.
The frozen revenues, including import VAT, customs duties and fuel excise, total NIS 740 million and represent roughly 60 percent of the PA’s annual budget.
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa warned the shortfall has forced employee salaries down to NIS 2,000.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to release the Palestinian Authority’s withheld tax revenues.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed Israel has frozen all PA tax transfers for about a year.
The frozen revenues, including import VAT, customs duties and fuel excise, total NIS 740 million and represent roughly 60 percent of the PA’s annual budget.
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa warned the shortfall has forced employee salaries down to NIS 2,000.