Ministry of Finance: The government will remain committed to disbursing salaries at rates determined by available financial capabilities

Ministry of Finance and Planning holds consultations with civil society on the 2026 cash budget

- The cash budget will not harm the poor and focuses on the sustainability of essential services

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Stefan Salameh, reviewed before representatives of civil society organizations the general features of the 2026 emergency budget, which is based on spending available cash flows to the public treasury, according to priorities that will address existential risks and current regional challenges.

This came during a consultation workshop held by the Ministry of Finance and Planning today, Monday, during which Salameh stressed that the government will remain committed to disbursing a percentage of employees' salaries according to the financial capabilities available each month, with a focus on the education, health, and security sectors.

The Minister of Finance and Planning affirmed the government's approach of conducting the broadest community consultations on public policies, ensuring the preparation of a budget responsive to the current Palestinian reality, noting that the Israeli government continues for the tenth month to withhold Palestinian clearance funds, which constitute about 70% of the Palestinian government's revenues, in addition to the absence of serious international commitments – at this stage – to support the public treasury.

Salameh stressed before civil society representatives that the budget draft takes into account the poor and low-income groups, explaining that the basic pillars adopted by the Ministry of Finance and Planning in its preparation ensure the sustainability of essential services under difficult circumstances, control operational expenses, achieve tax justice, and combat evasion and smuggling.

Furthermore, the consultation workshop witnessed an in-depth discussion with civil society representatives, in order to reach a transparent budget that reflects local, regional, and international changes, and meets basic needs to enhance the steadfastness of citizens in the face of unprecedented challenges.