The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) conducted a meeting for the Mayors of central municipalities, attending by the Mayor of Jericho, Abdel Karem Sidir, Mayor of Hebron, Taysir Abu Sneineh, Mayor of Al-Berih, Islam Al-Taweel, Mayor of Bethlehem, Hanna Hanania, Mayor of Jenin, Nidal Obaidi, Mayor of Ramallah, Issa Qassis, Mayor of Tubas, Hussam Daraghmeh, Mayor of Tulkarem, Riyadh Awad, Mayor of Qalqilya, Faisal Shraim, Mayor of Nablus, Sami Al-Hijjawi, and APLA's Executive Director, Eng. Abdallah Anati.
APLA confirms its absolute rejection of the attempts of the Ministry of Finance to change the shares from property tax, by increasing the shares of the Ministry of Finance, emphasizing that the share allocated for municipalities is 90% and is a redline not to be crossed or negotiated. Participants agreed that these attempts will lead to a real crisis for the municipalities in particular and the local governance sector in general.
The priority and what is due, is for the Ministry of Finance to pay its debts for the local authorities, and for the Ministry of Finance to work seriously and responsibly towards devising a mechanism for settling and scheduling accumulated debts, in contribution to continuing service provision to citizens, and improving the development sector of municipalities.
APLA calls the Ministry of Finance to adhere to the laws and transfer the professions and crafts certificate fees to the municipalities, taking into consideration that the share of municipalities from profession and crafts certificate fees per law is 90%. The claims of the Ministry of Finance concerning these finances has no legal ground.
APLA decided to establish a dialogue committee regarding the national demands of the association of local authorities’ employees, in a way that contributes to maintaining the rights of local authorities’ employees, improving their circumstances, keeping the local authorities going, as well as its ability to meet its duties and commitments.
End
Issued in Ramallah, Saturday, October 9, 2022.