Palestinian PM Shtayyeh slams Israel for withholding tax money

Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh condemned Israel on Monday for withholding tax revenue gathered on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

"The money withheld by Israel is our money, our right, and due to us from our taxes," he said.

At the beginning of the government session, Shtayyeh called on Israel to halt the monthly deductions, after it had claimed that it would provide a framework to return the funds. 

Shtayyeh also addressed growing talks of normalization between Sauid Arabia and Israel. "We are aware and confident that Saudi Arabia considers the Palestinian issue to be a focus of its interest and a top priority in its regional and international deliberations," he added.