Israeli electric company cuts Palestinian supply due to debt
Posted April 04, 2016 7:00 am
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's state electric company says that it has begun to scale back its electricity supply to Palestinian cities because of unpaid debt.
The Israel Electric Corporation said Monday it was cutting its supply to Bethlehem in half after taking a similar step with the city of Jericho. It said it would do so in other places over the next two weeks.
The company says that the Palestinian authorities have racked up a debt of 1.74 billion shekels ($460 million). Israel has thus far continued to provide electricity out of concern for the Palestinian population. But the company said it could no longer absorb the debt and was taking measures to stop it from growing further.
Palestinian fishermen display fish for sale after a night long fishing trip, in Gaza seaport , Monday, April 4, 2016. Fishermen in Gaza can now sail farther from the coastal territory after Israel expanded the fishing zone off parts of Gaza by three more nautical miles to nine on Sunday. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
The Associated Press
Palestinian fishermen prepare fish for sale after a night long fishing trip, in Gaza seaport , Monday, April 4, 2016. Fishermen in Gaza can now sail farther from the coastal territory after Israel expanded the fishing zone off parts of Gaza by three more nautical miles to nine on Sunday. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
The Associated Press
Palestinian fishermen prepare fish on their boat for sale after a night long fishing trip, in Gaza seaport , Monday, April 4,2016. Fishermen in Gaza can now sail farther from the coastal territory after Israel expanded the fishing zone off parts of Gaza by three more nautical miles to nine on Sunday. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
The Associated Press
Palestinian fishermen prepare fish on their boat for sale after a night long fishing trip, in Gaza seaport , Monday, April 4, 2016. Fishermen in Gaza can now sail farther from the coastal territory after Israel expanded the fishing zone off parts of Gaza by three more nautical miles to nine on Sunday. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
The Associated Press
Palestinian fishermen prepare fish for sale after a night long fishing trip, in Gaza seaport , Monday, April 4, 2016. Fishermen in Gaza can now sail farther from the coastal territory after Israel expanded the fishing zone off parts of Gaza by three more nautical miles to nine on Sunday. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
The Associated Press
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