This came in a statement from the ministry, which called for "a genuine international effort to release the Palestinian people's assets and to expedite the provision of a financial safety net and support to strengthen citizens' steadfastness and adherence to their homeland."
The ministry said it views "with extreme concern the continued international failure not only to halt the crimes of genocide, displacement, and annexation, but also to halt the famine and humanitarian catastrophe imposed on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and the Israeli policy of financial and livelihood strangulation of the Palestinian people in general, and the destruction of their basic necessities of life, foremost among them education and health."
She added, "The indifference of states and the international community to the repercussions of stealing the Palestinian people's money and strangling their economies and sources of income has reached disturbing levels, given the deprivation of students and children in the Gaza Strip from education and the serious dangers threatening the entire Palestinian educational process, disrupting and paralyzing citizens' lives in all areas."
For his part, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said during a cabinet meeting that the economic and financial challenges facing the Palestinian Authority are "politically motivated." He added, according to a cabinet statement issued at the end of the session, that "work is underway to secure a payment of salaries to public employees within days."
Regarding the start of the school year, Mustafa said, "There were preparations for the school year to begin on time yesterday (Monday), but these were not completed due to Israeli policies that cast a shadow over the financial and economic situation, and the start date was postponed."
Mustafa continued, "This is a message to the international community that Israeli measures are impacting all aspects of life in Palestine, including education." He emphasized the continuation of work with all parties, "especially the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, to ensure the start of the school year very soon."
On Saturday, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced a one-week postponement of the start of the new school year in the West Bank due to "the ongoing repercussions of the financial crisis facing the State of Palestine," according to a statement by its spokesperson, Sadiq Al-Khudour.
Editor's Picks
The Houthis confirm attacking four Israeli targets, including the Israeli General Staff building.
"Without unreasonable conditions," Egypt calls for pressure on Israel to accept the Gaza truce proposal.
UN welcomes Gaza-bound "Resilience Flotilla"; two Turkish activists: Our goal is to break the siege, and we are not afraid of Israel
Fidan conducts diplomatic contacts to discuss efforts to recognize the Palestinian state and the situations in Gaza and Syria.
Withheld funds, or "clearance," are taxes imposed on goods imported into the Palestinian territories, whether from Israel or through border crossings controlled by Tel Aviv. These taxes are collected by Tel Aviv on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. However, starting in 2019, Israel decided to deduct these taxes for various reasons, totaling approximately $3 billion. This has plunged the Palestinian Authority into a financial crisis, leaving it unable to pay its employees' salaries in full.
For the fourth consecutive month, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has withheld all remaining Palestinian clearance revenues after deductions, leaving the Palestinian Authority unable to pay its employees' salaries, after years of receiving up to 70% of their salaries.
The last time the Palestinian government paid its employees' salaries was on July 29, for the month of May 2025, at a rate of 60%, with a minimum of 3,000 shekels (approximately $893).
The PA's monthly wage bill is estimated at approximately one billion shekels (approximately $300 million), paid to approximately 245,000 beneficiaries, including 144,000 active civil and military employees, in addition to retirees and social security beneficiaries.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 63,633 Palestinians dead, 160,914 injured, most of them children and women, more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that has killed 361 Palestinians, including 130 children.
In parallel with the war of extermination in Gaza, the occupation army and settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,016 Palestinians, the injury of approximately 7,000 others, and the arrest of more than 18,500, according to Palestinian data.
