Israel cuts power to Palestinian West Bank areas, citing unpaid $717m bill

Israel’s national electric company says it has begun reducing power supplies to Palestinian areas of the occupied West Bank because of a financial dispute.

The Israel Electric Co said on Sunday (local time) it took the step because the Jerusalem District Electricity Co, the Palestinians’ main power distributor, has debts of roughly US$485 (A$717) 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.

“We will sue Israel in international courts for exploiting our land and we will continue our struggle against the occupation on the ground and in international forums.” (EPA)

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.