Israel starts reducing power to West Bank amid £380m financial dispute
National electric company takes step over hundreds of millions owed by the Palestinians' main power distributor
Israel’s national electric company says it has begun reducing power supplies to Palestinian areas of the West Bank due to a financial dispute.
The Israel Electric Co said on Sunday that it took the step because the Jerusalem District Electricity Co, the Palestinians’ main power distributor, has debts of roughly 485 million US dollars (£384 million).
Ali Hamodeh, an official with the Palestinian distributor, says power is expected to be cut for two hours daily in several Palestinian towns in the coming weeks.
He accused Israel of “exaggerating” the level of debt and called the power cuts a “political exploit”.
The Palestinians rely on Israel for nearly all of their electricity.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
