Israel’s state-owned electricity company announced on Wednesday, April 6, that it had restored full power to Palestinian cities in the occupied West Bank after a two-day reduction due to an outstanding debt. The Israel Electricity Corporation said that it had reached a stopgap agreement with the Palestinian Authority, which will pay about $500,000 in back debt. The company says the Palestinians owe it nearly $460 million. Israel provides electricity to the West Bank through several Palestinian distribution companies.

The Renewable Energy Generation project in Gaza will improve the livelihoods of approximately 107,000 people, raise awareness about clean energy and lay the groundwork for energy transition – saving money, creating jobs and protecting the environment (Photo: UNDP)

Joint Arab List leader MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash) helped negotiate the deal. MK Odeh said “this was a temporary Band-Aid. I am glad that after discussions with all the parties, we found a temporary compromise to resume the flow of electricity to all of the West Bank, [the interruption of] which was a prohibited and serious collective punishment.” Odeh added: “However, this issue, like all issues connected to life in the occupied territories, is only a temporary fix. There can be no permanent solutions except for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.”