Israel’s stealing of more than $170 million of the tax funds it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA) was highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies published today.

Al-Quds daily said in its main front-page headline story that Israel cut 600 million shekels ($170m) of the Palestinian funds and the PA considered it “piracy and theft.”

Al-Hayat al-Jadida daily quoted presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh in its main story on this topic saying the Israeli decision to deduct from the clearance funds is rejected and a violation of international law.

While the third daily, al-Ayyam, also reported on this story, its main front-page story touched on the Israeli army incursions in the West Bank and the shooting of a Palestinian worker near Tulkarm.

The other two dailies also reported on the Israeli army and settlers’ attacks against the Palestinian civilians with al-Hayat al-Jadida saying that the European Union condemned the violence of the settlers and called for an investigation into the murder of the boy Abu Elia, 16, from the town of al-Mughayyer, near Ramallah, who was shot and killed two days ago by the Israeli army.

It said President Mahmoud Abbas called the Abu Elia family to express his condolences.

The ongoing strike of the Palestinian lawyers in the West Bank protesting decisions by law that affect the justice system was highlighted on the front page of al-Quds and al-Ayyam dailies, which said that the lawyers’ union has decided to escalate its protest activities.

The two papers also reported on a tweet by Hamas’ military wing in Gaza saying that Israel bombed in May of last year a location where one of the Israeli captives was held resulting in the killing of a member of al-Qassam Brigades while three others were injured.

Al-Quds said Jerusalem institutions have warned against enlarging Bab al-Magharbeh gate that leads to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and is used only by Jews and tourists.

It said the main food companies in the world have increased their prices.

Al-Ayyam reported on the latest revelations about the Israeli army massacre of Palestinians in Kufr Qassem in 1956 and said the documents revealed a plan to expel the Palestinian citizens of the Triangle area to the West Bank.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that for the first time, and following intervention from the European Union, large cargo trucks will be used to facilitate the movement of goods across the borders with Jordan.

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency